Anatomic planes Flashcards
frontal or coronal
vertical plane passing through the body from side to side, dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions
midsagittal
vertical plane passing through the body from front to back at the midline, dividing the body equally into right and left halves
parasagittal
vertical plane passing through the body from front to back, dividing the body into unequal left and right sides
sagittal
vertical plane passing through the body from front to back, dividing the body into right and left sides (any plane parallel to the midsagittal plane)
transverse
horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions
Fowler position
semi-sitting with slight elevation of the knees
lateral recumbent position
lying on side; right and left precede the term to indicate the patient’s side
lithotomy position
lying on back with legs raised and feet in stirrups, hips and knees flexed, thighs abducted (away from the body) and externally rotated
orthopnea position
sitting upright in a chair or in bed supported by pillows behind the back. Sometimes the patient tilts forward resting on a pillow supported by an overbid table
prone position
lying on abdomen, face downward. aka ventral recumbent position
recumbent position
lying down in any position
Sims position
lying on side in a semi-prone position with the knee drawn up toward the chest and the arm drawn behind parallel to the back. Right and left precede the term to indicate the patient’s right or left side. Originally, the term specifically indicated the patient’ left side; therefore, if the term Sims position is used without a description of right or left, it is assumed the patient is to be placed on the left side.
Supine
lying on back, facing upward. aka dorsal recumbent position
Trendelenburg position
lying on back with body tilted so that the head is lower than the feet.
