Body parts that start with W include the wrist that lets your hand bend and turn, the windpipe that carries every breath, the white matter that connects different parts of your brain, and the wisdom teeth that many people have removed.
Here are the main human body parts that start with W, grouped by body system, each with a short, clear explanation, plus tips for learning them.
Quick List: Body Parts That Start With W
| Waist | Wernicke’s area | Wharton’s duct |
| White blood cells | White matter | Windpipe |
| Wisdom teeth | Womb | Wrist |
Brain
White matter: Brain and spinal cord tissue made mostly of nerve fibres wrapped in a fatty coating called myelin, which gives it its pale colour. It carries signals between different areas of grey matter, like wiring between processors.
Wernicke’s area: A region of the brain, usually on the left side, that is important for understanding spoken and written language.
Breathing, Mouth and Blood
Windpipe: The everyday name for the trachea, the tube that carries air from the voice box down to the lungs. Rings of cartilage keep it open.
Wisdom teeth: The third and last set of molars, which usually appear in the late teens or early twenties. Many jaws do not have room for them, so they sometimes grow at an angle and are removed.
Wharton’s duct: The duct that carries saliva from the submandibular salivary gland into the mouth. It opens under the tongue.
White blood cells: Cells in the blood that help the body fight infection. They are part of the immune system.
Trunk and Limbs
Waist: The narrower part of the body between the ribs and the hips.
Wrist: The joint between the forearm and the hand. It contains eight small carpal bones that let the hand bend and rotate.
Womb: The everyday name for the uterus, where a baby grows during pregnancy.
Where to Learn More
The Britannica guide to the human body explains how these parts fit into body systems. For trusted health information, visit MedlinePlus. Check meanings and pronunciation, such as for “Wernicke”, in the Cambridge Dictionary.
Fun Ways to Learn W Words
- Wiggle test: move your wrist in circles and count how many directions it can bend.
- Breathing check: gently touch the front of your neck while you breathe to feel your windpipe.
- Brain map: draw a simple brain and colour grey matter and white matter differently.
- Sentence game: make a sentence using three W words.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they called wisdom teeth?
Because they usually appear later than other teeth, when a person is older and, in theory, wiser.
Is the windpipe the same as the food pipe?
No. The windpipe (trachea) carries air to the lungs. The food pipe (oesophagus) carries food to the stomach.
Continue the A-to-Z Series
See body parts that start with V, then move on to X and Z.
Key Takeaways
- W body parts include the wrist, windpipe, wisdom teeth and white matter.
- Some W words, like windpipe and womb, are everyday names for medical terms.
- White blood cells help fight infection.
- Simple activities make anatomy words easier to remember.
This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. If you have a health concern, please talk to a doctor.
