Excurvate is an anatomical and descriptive term meaning curved outward or bent away from the midline or axis. It’s often used in biology, paleontology, and anthropology to describe the shape of bones, shells, leaves, or other structures.

🌍 Definition

• Excurvate: Having an outward curvature; opposite of incurvate (curved inward).
• Root: Latin ex- (“out”) + curvare (“to bend”).

🔑 Usage in Context

• Anatomy:
  • Describing bones or processes that curve outward (e.g., excurvate ribs or claws).
• Botany:
  • Leaves or petals that bend outward from the stem.
• Paleontology/Archaeology:
  • Lithic tools or fossil structures with outward-curving edges.
• Zoology:
  • Beaks, horns, or spines that curve away from the body axis.

📚 Examples

• A bird’s beak described as excurvate if it curves outward rather than downward.
• Certain stone tools (like projectile points) may have excurvate blade edges.
• Plant sepals or petals that flare outward are excurvate in form.

✨ Summary

Excurvate means outwardly curved, a descriptive term applied across anatomy, botany, zoology, and archaeology. It helps specialists precisely describe morphology, whether in bones, tools, or plant structures.