Caudal vs. Fluke — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
Caudal refers to tail or tail-like features, often in biology; Fluke can mean a whale's tail, a lucky chance, or a flatfish, depending on context.
Difference Between Caudal and Fluke
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Caudal, in biology, pertains to the tail or tail-end of an organism. Fluke, when biological, refers specifically to a whale's tail.
Caudal is an adjective describing position or direction. Fluke, as a noun, can denote luck, a flatfish, or a whale's tail.
In anatomy, caudal denotes structures near the tail. Fluke, in zoology, signifies the two lobes of a whale or dolphin's tail.
Caudal is often used in medical or biological contexts. Fluke can mean a fortunate event or a type of parasitic worm, besides a whale’s tail.
Caudal is a term for directionality in animals. Fluke, beyond biology, can refer to an unexpected success or a type of anchor.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Related to tail or tail-end
Whale's tail, lucky chance, or flatfish
Context of Use
Biology, anatomy
Biology, zoology, colloquial, marine
Part of Speech
Adjective
Noun
Usage in Anatomy
Describes tail-end structures
Refers specifically to cetacean tails
Non-Biological Usage
Rare
Common (luck, type of anchor)
Compare with Definitions
Caudal
Located at the rear end.
Caudal vertebrae are at the tail end of the spine.
Fluke
Whale or dolphin’s tail.
The whale lifted its fluke out of the water.
Caudal
Pertaining to the tail.
The caudal fin of a fish provides propulsion.
Fluke
A stroke of luck.
Winning the lottery was a complete fluke.
Caudal
Related to the posterior.
The caudal artery supplies blood to the tail region.
Fluke
A type of flatfish.
Fluke is often served in seafood restaurants.
Caudal
Opposite of rostral in anatomy.
In brain studies, caudal refers to areas away from the nose.
Fluke
An unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck
Their victory was a bit of a fluke
Caudal
Of, at, or near the tail or hind parts; posterior
The caudal fin of a fish.
Fluke
A parasitic flatworm which typically has suckers and hooks for attachment to the host. Some species are of veterinary or medical importance.
Caudal
Situated beneath or on the underside; inferior.
Fluke
A flatfish, especially a flounder.
Caudal
Similar to a tail in form or function.
Fluke
A broad triangular plate on the arm of an anchor.
Caudal
(zoology) Pertaining to the tail or posterior or hind part of a body.
Fluke
Either of the lobes of a whale's tail.
Caudal
Toward the tail end (hind end) of the body; in bipeds such as humans, this direction corresponds to inferior.
Fluke
Achieve (something) by luck rather than skill.
Caudal
A caudal vertebra.
Fluke
Any of numerous parasitic flatworms, including the trematodes, some of which infect humans, and the monogeneans, which are chiefly ectoparasites of fish.
Caudal
Of the nature of, or pertaining to, a tail; having a tail-like appendage.
The male widow-bird, remarkable for his caudal plumes.
Fluke
Any of various flatfishes chiefly of the genus Paralichthys, especially the summer flounder.
Caudal
Constituting or relating to a tail;
Caudal appendage
Fluke
(Nautical) The triangular blade at the end of an arm of an anchor, designed to catch in the ground.
Caudal
Resembling a tail
Fluke
A barb or barbed head, as on an arrow or a harpoon.
Caudal
(of quadrupeds) situated in or directed toward the part of the body from which the tail arises;
Caudal fins
The caudal end of the body
Fluke
Either of the two horizontally flattened divisions of the tail of a whale.
Caudal
Toward the posterior end of the body
Fluke
A chance occurrence
That spring snowstorm was a total fluke.
Caudal
Directed toward the tail.
Caudal anesthesia is administered near the lower spine.
Fluke
(Games) An accidentally good or successful stroke in billiards or pool.
Fluke
A lucky or improbable occurrence, with the implication that the occurrence could not be repeated.
The first goal was just a fluke.
Fluke
A flounder.
Fluke
A trematode; a parasitic flatworm of the Trematoda class, related to the tapeworm.
The man had become infected with flukes after eating a meal of raw fish.
Fluke
Either of the two lobes of a whale's or similar creature's tail.
The dolphin had an open wound on the left fluke of its tail where the propeller had injured it.
Fluke
(nautical) Any of the triangular blades at the end of an anchor, designed to catch the ground.
The fluke of the anchor was wedged between two outcroppings of rock and could not be dislodged.
Fluke
A metal hook on the head of certain staff weapons (such as a bill), made in various forms depending on function, whether used for grappling or to penetrate armour when swung at an opponent.
The polearm had a wide, sharpened fluke attached to the central point.
Fluke
In general, a winglike formation on a central piece.
After casting the bronze statue, we filed down the flukes and spurs from the molding process.
Fluke
Waste cotton.
Fluke
To obtain a successful outcome by pure chance.
I fluked a pass in the multiple-choice exam.
Fluke
(snooker) To fortuitously pot a ball in an unintended way.
He fluked the other red into the middle pocket, despite the double kiss.
Fluke
The European flounder. See Flounder.
Fluke
Any American flounder of the genus Paralichthys, especially Paralicthys dentatus, found in the Atlantic Ocean and in adjacent bays.
Fluke
A parasitic trematode worm of several species, having a flat, lanceolate body and two suckers. Two species (Fasciola hepatica and Distoma lanceolatum) are found in the livers of sheep, and produce the disease called rot.
Fluke
The part of an anchor which fastens in the ground; a flook. See Anchor.
Fluke
One of the lobes of a whale's tail, so called from the resemblance to the fluke of an anchor.
Fluke
An instrument for cleaning out a hole drilled in stone for blasting.
Fluke
An accidental and favorable stroke at billiards (called a scratch in the United States); hence, any accidental or unexpected advantage; as, he won by a fluke.
Fluke
To get or score by a fluke; as, to fluke a play in billiards.
Fluke
A stroke of luck
Fluke
A barb on a harpoon or arrow
Fluke
Flat blade-like projection on the arm of an anchor
Fluke
Either of the two lobes of the tail of a cetacean
Fluke
Parasitic flatworms having external suckers for attaching to a host
Fluke
A type of anchor with triangular blades.
The boat's fluke anchor held firmly in the seabed.
Fluke
A parasitic flatworm.
Liver flukes can infect cattle.
Common Curiosities
What are flukes in marine animals?
Flukes are the lobed tails of whales or dolphins.
Does caudal have non-biological meanings?
Rarely, it's primarily used in biological or medical contexts.
Can caudal be used to describe plants?
Rarely, as plants don’t have structures analogous to tails.
What does caudal mean?
Caudal refers to anything related to the tail or tail-end.
Do all animals have caudal structures?
Most vertebrates do, but it varies greatly among species.
Is a fluke anchor shaped like a whale's fluke?
Yes, it has triangular blades resembling a whale's tail.
Is fluke always related to marine biology?
No, it can also mean luck or a type of flatfish.
Is caudal used in everyday language?
It’s mostly used in scientific or medical contexts.
Can caudal be used for humans?
Yes, to describe structures near the lower end of the spine.
Can fluke mean something negative?
It can refer to parasitic worms, which are negative.
Can caudal be used interchangeably with posterior?
In some contexts, but caudal is more specific to tail-related positions.
Is the plural of fluke 'flukes' in all meanings?
Yes, regardless of whether it's a tail, luck, or flatfish.
What’s the difference between fluke and flounder?
Both are flatfish, but fluke refers to a specific type, often the summer flounder.
Is caudal a technical term?
Yes, it’s commonly used in technical, especially anatomical, contexts.
Can fluke refer to an unexpected failure?
Typically, it refers to an unexpected success.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
