scalene

/'skeili:n/

Thân thiện

A scalene triangle is drawn on the chalkboard.

Definition

1. Adjective (Geometry):

   • Describing a triangle in which all three sides are of different lengths. This is one of the three main classifications of triangles based on side lengths, distinct from equilateral (all sides equal) and isosceles (at least two sides equal).

2. Adjective (Anatomy):

   • Of or relating to any of the scalene muscles, a group of three pairs of muscles in the neck (scalenus anterior, medius, and posterior) that are involved in neck flexion and respiration.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Geometry):

  • The surveyor marked out a scalene plot of land.
  • A scalene triangle has no lines of symmetry.

• Adjective (Anatomy):

  • The patient experienced pain in the scalene muscles after the whiplash injury.
  • The scalene group assists in elevating the first and second ribs during inhalation.

Advanced Usage

• "Scalene triangle": The most common compound term, specifically denoting the geometric figure.

  • In the problem set, identify which shapes are scalene triangles.

• "Scalene muscles": The standard anatomical term for the muscle group.

  • Tight scalene muscles can contribute to thoracic outlet syndrome.

Variants and Related Words

• Scalenus (noun): The anatomical name for each individual scalene muscle.
  • The scalenus anterior is the most prominent of the three.

Synonyms

• Unequal-sided (Geometry): A descriptive synonym for a scalene triangle.
• Nonequilateral (Geometry): A technical synonym emphasizing the lack of equal sides.

Antonyms

• Equilateral (Geometry): Describing a triangle with all three sides equal.
• Isosceles (Geometry): Describing a triangle with at least two sides of equal length.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of or relating to any of the scalene muscles
2. of a triangle having three sides of different lengths