calf

caliper 1 A metal or plastic instrument used to measure the diameter of an object. The skin-fold thickness in several parts of the body can be measured with calipers, as can fat deposits. This measurement is done in medicine, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of obesity, and in physical anthropology. Calipers are also used to measure the diameter of the pelvis in pregnant women to ensure that it is large enough to permit birth. 2 A type of leg splint.