Definition of torso

The word "torso" is derived from the Italian word "torso" which means "trunk" or "body without the head and limbs." The Italian word, in turn, comes from the Latin word "truncare" meaning "to cut short" or "to trim." In classical anatomy, the torso refers to the human body's trunk, which includes the chest, abdomen, and back. The term "torso" was adopted by English speakers in the late 19th century, as the study of anatomy became increasingly focused on dissection and the identification of specific body parts. The word "torso" gained broader cultural significance in the early 20th century, as it became a popular subject in modern art. Cubist painter Pablo Picasso infamously cleared aside a model's arms and head to create a graphic representation of the human torso titled "Torso." The term "torso" then entered popular culture in reference to villains in comic books and movies who were often depicted with their torsos exposed after being defeated in their upper body. Today, the term "torso" is more commonly used in forensic science to refer to a body's trunk after the head and limbs have been severed.