'Flesh' is the soft part of the body of a human or animal which is between the skin and the bones. In ordinary speech, it typically contrasts with
bone, as in the
merism ''flesh and bone''. It mainly refers to
skeletal muscle and associated
fat, though it includes all other internal
soft tissue. The softness of a human body is generally attributed to flesh, although
muscles can also give a notion of hardness.
The word "
meat" is normally used instead if animal flesh is intended as food.
In some instances, the term "flesh" will be used to describe the interior of fruits as well.