1.1.2 - Anatomical Terminology: Directional Terms and Anatomical Position Flashcards
Anatomical Position Includes
- Standing upright
- Head/eyes facing anteriorly (forwards)
- Upper limbs by sides
- Palms facing anteriorly (forwards) with thumbs pointing laterally (away from midline)
- Lower limbs together
- Toes pointing anteriorly (forwards)
- Left refers to THEIR left
Superior/Cephalic/Cranial
Upper • E.g. the eyes are superior to the nose
Inferior/Caudal
Lower • E.g. Foot is inferior to the knee
Anterior/Ventral
Front/Forwards • Ribs lie anterior to the heart
Posterior/Dorsal
Behind • Spine lies posterior to the heart
Medial
Towards median plane / midline • Little finder lies medial to the thumb in anatomical position
Lateral
Away from median plane / midline • Thumb lies lateral to the little finger in anatomical position
Intermediate
Between two structures • The middle finger is intermediate to the index and ring fingers
Proximal
Close to trunk/root of the limb • Elbow is proximal to the hand (it is closer to the base of the arm)
Distal
Away from the trunk/root of the limb • Foot is distal to the knee (it is further away from the base of the leg) • Distal sounds like distant
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body • Right hand and right foot are ipsilateral
Contralateral
On opposite sides of the body • Right hand is contralateral to left foot
Internal
Towards inside of the body or organ • Internal surface of the stomach is composed of the rugae
External
Towards outside of the body or organ • External surface of the heart is formed by the epicardium
Label the Directions
- Medial
- Lateral
- Anterior/Ventral
- Posterior/Dorsal
- Proximal
- Distal
- Superior/Cephalic/Cranial
- Inferior/Caudal
Prone Position
Lying on one’s front
- Lying on your belly leaves you prone to attacks from behind
