Anatomic Terminology Flashcards
Cranial
Head
Caudal
Tail
Anterior
Front
Posterior
Back
Superior
Upper/Above
Inferior
Lower/Below
Axial
Pertaining to the axis of a structure
Transverse
Situated at right angles to the long axis of a structure
Longitudinal
Parallel to the long axis of a structure
Horizontal
Parallel to the plane of the horizon
Vertical
Perpendicular to the plane of the horizon
Medial
Toward the median plane
Lateral
Away from the median plane (toward the side)
Median
Situated in the median plane or midline
Peripheral
Situated away from the center
Superficial
Situated near the surface
Deep
situated deep beneath the surface
external
outer/lateral
internal
inner/medial
apical
top/apex
basal
bottom/base
sagittal
situated parallel to the sagittal suture
coronal
situated parallel to the coronal suture (pertaining to the crown of the head)
Proximal
close to, or toward, the trunk, or toward the point of the origin
distal
away from the trunk (toward the end of the limb), or away from the point of origin
radial
pertaining to the radius or the lateral side of the forearm
ulnar
pertaining to the ulna or the medial side of the forearm
tibial
pertaining to the tibia or the medial side of the leg
fibular
pertaining to the fibula or the lateral side of the leg
palmar (volar)
pertaining to the palm of the hand
plantar
pertaining to the sole of the foot
dorsal
pertaining to the back of the hand or top of the foot
