Anatomy of Type

LCC Typography 1

Stroke

Any line that defines the basic letterform

Stem

A significant vertical or oblique stroke (As in the letter V)

Counter

The negative space within a letterform, either fully or partially closed

Bowl

The rounded form that inscribes the counter

Arm

Strokes off the stem either horizontal (E,F,T) or inclined upwards (K, Y)

Cross Bar

The horizontal stroke that joins two stems

Serif

The right angle or oblique foot at the end of a stroke

Shoulder

The curved stroke that is not part of a bowl

Cross Stroke

The horizontal stroke in a letterform that intersects the stem

Apex

The upper point created by joining two diagonal strokes

Vertex

The lower point created by joining two diagonal strokes

Crotch

The interior space created where two strokes meet

Ascender

The portion of the stem of a lowercase letter that extends above the median

Spur

A small projection off a main stroke

Descender

The portion of the stem of a lowercase letter that extends below the median

Ear

A small stroke extending from the upper-right side of the bowl of lowercase 'g'; also appears in the angled or curved lowercase 'r

Link

A stroke that connects the top and bottom bowls of a lowercase double-story 'g'

Loop

The enclosed or partially enclosed counter below the baseline of a double-story 'g'

Barb

The half-serif terminus on the end of some curved strokes

Beak

The half-serif terminus on the end of some horizontal arms

Finial

The rounded non-serif terminal to a stroke

Cap Height

The height of a capital letter measured from the baseline

X-Height

The distance between the baseline of a line of type and tops of the main body of lower case letters. Excluding ascenders and descenders

Baseline

Is the imaginary axis where the letter rests/sit

Ascender Line

Defines the top of the highest ascender

Descender Height

Defines the lowest point a descender reaches

Tail

The curved or diagonal stroke at the finish of some letterforms

Spine

The curved stem of the letter S

Ligature

Two characters connected to make one character

Swash

A flourish that finishes the stroke of a letter form

Terminal

The general term for the finish of any stroke (you can have ball/droplet, teardrop, finial, beak, and sheared terminals)

Stress

The orientation of a round letterform as described by the thinner parts of the stroke

Bracket

The transition area between the stem and the serif