AnaPhy (The Language of Anatomy) Flashcards
Directional Terms, Position, Region
Body is in a standard position; it is important to understand this position because most body terminology used in this text refers to this body positioning regardless of the position the body happens to be in
ANATOMICAL POSITION
It allows medical personnel and anatomists to explain exactly where one body structure is in relation to another
DIRECTIONAL TERMS
Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above
SUPERIOR (cranial or cephalic)
Away from the head end or toward to lower part of a structure or the body; below
INFERIOR (caudal)
Toward or at the front of the body; in front of
ANTERIOR (ventral)
Toward or at the backside of the body; behind
POSTERIOR (dorsal)
Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of
MEDIAL
Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of
LATERAL
Between a more medial and a more lateral structure
INTERMEDIATE
Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
PROXIMAL
Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
DISTAL
Toward or at the body surface
SUPERFICIAL (external)
Away from the body surface; more internal
DEEP (internal)
anterior body trunk inferior to ribs
ABDOMINAL
point of shoulder
ACROMIAL
forearm
ANTEBRACHIAL
anterior surface of elbow
ANTECUBITAL
armpit
AXILLARY
arm
BRACHIAL
cheek area
BUCCAL
wrist
CARPAL
neck region
CERVICAL
hip
COXAL
curve of shoulder formed by large deltoid muscle
DELTOID
anterior leg; the shin
CRURAL
fingers, toes
DIGITAL
thigh (applies to both anterior and posterior)
FEMORAL
lateral part of leg
FIBULAR
forehead
FRONTAL
area where thigh meets body trunk; groin
INGUINAL
chin
MENTAL
nose area
NASAL
mouth
ORAL
eye area
ORBITAL
anterior knee
PATELLAR
relating to, or occurring in or on, the chest
PECTORAL
area overlying the pelvis anteriorly
PELVIC