pla'num

[L. neut. of plan us, flat,] plane or flat surface, a plain, p. nuchale (nu-ka'le) [BNA]; nuchal plain, the outer surface of -the squamous part of the occipital bone below the superior curved line, giving attachment to the muscles of the back of the neck. p. occipita'le [BNA], occipital plain, the - outer surface of the occipital bone above the superior curved line, covered by the hairy scalp, p. orbita'le, orbital plain, orbital surface of the maxilla, p. poplite'um [BNA], popliteal plain, popliteal surface, a flat triangular area at the lower end of the femur posteriorly, bounded by the diverging lips of the line a aspera. p. sterna'le [BNA], the sternal plane or anterior surface of the sternum, p. tempora'le [B NA], a slightly depre ed area on the side of the cranium, below the inferior temporal line, formed by the temporal and parifetal bones, the greater wing of the sphenoid', and a part of the frontal bone.