Stem wall
The short foundation wall that rises from the footing to support the structure above, creating a separate pour from the footing below it.
What does stem wall mean?
Stem wall construction separates the footing pour from the wall pour, which suits deep frost requirements and sloping sites better than a single monolithic pour. The joint between footing and stem wall is a construction joint requiring a keyway or dowels for shear transfer, and it is a common water entry path if not detailed and waterproofed. Anchor bolts set in the top tie the framing down.
In practice
Northern houses typically get footing, then stem wall, then slab as three separate pours, which is why they cost more than a southern monolithic slab.