Type anatomy refers to the individual parts that make up a typeface. Understanding type anatomy is essential for selecting and pairing typefaces effectively.

Anatomy of a Typeface

The anatomy of a typeface includes the following elements:

• Baseline: the invisible line on which characters sit.
• X-height: the height of the body of a lowercase letter (excluding ascenders and descenders).
• Ascender: the part of a letter that extends above the x-height.
• Descender: the part of a letter that extends below the baseline.
• Serif: the small lines or flourishes that extend from the ends of the strokes in a letter.
• Stem: the main vertical or diagonal stroke in a letter.
• Bowl: the curved portion of a letter that encloses a circular or rounded shape.
• Counter: the enclosed or partially enclosed space within a letter.
• Aperture: the partially enclosed negative space in a letterform, such as the open space in the letter 'e'.
• Terminal: the end of any stroke that doesn't include a serif.
• Spine: the main curved stroke in a letterform.
• Shoulder: the curved stroke that connects the stem and the serif.
• Kerning: the adjustment of the space between individual letterforms.

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