A small faint constellation of the southern hemisphere lying in the Milky Way, located between Ara and Lupus which seems to represent a carpenter's square, often carried on ships during early exploration voyages: The astronomer was excited to see Norma, the elusive constellation in the southern skies.

1. A line or pattern defining the contour of a part; especially, of various aspects of the cranium or head: In anatomy, the norma is an aspect of the skull as viewed from a particular perspective, often as seen in an outline.
2. A tragic two act opera by Vincenzo Bellini of the bell canto style: Many famous female opera singers have sung the title role of Norma.

The outline of the skull as seen from the front: By examining the X-ray, the medical technician was able to study the norma frontalis and explain the visible injury on the front of Bill's head to the his doctor.

The outline of the skull as viewed from either side; a profile view: The norma lateralis of Joe's head indicated a slight fracture on the left side which required immediate medical attention.