Type Anatomy

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Graphic Arts

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27 Terms

1
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ascender height
upward part of a letterform (often a vertical stroke) that extends above the x-height and usually above the cap height
2
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Cap height
the height of a typeface's uppercase letters
3
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x-height
the height of the lowercase x measured from the baseline
4
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baseline
an imaginary invisible line upon which letters appear to sit
5
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descender height
a downward vertical stroke that extends below the baseline
6
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Apex
The uppermost connecting point of a letterform where two strokes meet
The uppermost connecting point of a letterform where two strokes meet
7
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serif
a decorative stroke that finishes off the end of a letters stem

(“feet” of the letters)
a decorative stroke that finishes off the end of a letters stem (“feet” of the letters)
8
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bowl
The stroke that creates such a space that holds the counter
The stroke that creates such a space that holds the counter
9
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finial
The tapered portion of the end of the stroke of a letter
The tapered portion of the end of the stroke of a letter
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counter
empty space within a letter that is generally completely closed off
empty space within a letter that is generally completely closed off
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bar
horizontal straight line that’s
horizontal straight line that’s
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open-counter
The open space in a fully or partly closed area within a letter
The open space in a fully or partly closed area within a letter
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stem
The main (usually vertical) stroke of a letterform
The main (usually vertical) stroke of a letterform
14
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link/neck
The thin line that connects the upper and lower bowls of a lowercase g
The thin line that connects the upper and lower bowls of a lowercase g
15
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loop
In a double-story 'g', the loop is the enclosed or partially enclosed counter below the baseline that is connected to the bowl by a link.
In a double-story 'g', the loop is the enclosed or partially enclosed counter below the baseline that is connected to the bowl by a link.
16
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ear
The small stroke that extends outwards from a lowercase letter
The small stroke that extends outwards from a lowercase letter
17
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shoulder
The curved stroke aiming downward from a stem

\
(it’s like it’s bringing 2 stems together)
The curved stroke aiming downward from a stem \ (it’s like it’s bringing 2 stems together)
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tail
*Descending stroke that is often decorative*
*Descending stroke that is often decorative*
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terminal
the ending of the stroke
the ending of the stroke
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bracket
a curved or wedge-like connection between the stem and serif of some fonts
a curved or wedge-like connection between the stem and serif of some fonts
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axis
the direction of the stroke in a letterform
the direction of the stroke in a letterform
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crossbar
The (usually) horizontal stroke across the middle of the uppercase 'A' and 'H'
The (usually) horizontal stroke across the middle of the uppercase 'A' and 'H'
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tittle/dot
The small distinguishing mark you see over a lowercase i and a lowercase j
The small distinguishing mark you see over a lowercase i and a lowercase j
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eye
the closed counter of a lowercase e
the closed counter of a lowercase e
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spine
single structure everything is built 

* STRONGEST biggest part of structure 
single structure everything is built  * STRONGEST biggest part of structure 
26
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stress
In a curved letter, the place where the thickening of curved strokes starts.
In a curved letter, the place where the thickening of curved strokes starts.
27
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basic structural elements in type
* Vertical
* Slanted
* Horizontal
* Oval