Anatomical Directional Regional Terms Flashcards
Posterior (dorsal)
Toward the back
Anterior (ventral)
Toward the front
Superior
Toward the head
Inferior
Away from the head
Medial
Toward the midline of the body
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body
Proximal
Toward the attached end of the limb, origin of the structure, or midline of the body
Distal
Away from the attached end of the limb, origin of the structure, or midline of the body
Superficial
External, located close to or on the body surface
Deep
Internal, located further beneath the body surface than the superficial structures
Cervical
Regional term referring to the neck
Thoracic
Regional term referring to the portion of the body between the neck and abdomen, also known as the chest (thorax)
Lumbar
Regional term referring to the portion of the back between the abdomen and pelvis
Plantar
The sole or bottom of the feet
Dorsal
The top surface of the feet and hands
Palmar
The anterior or ventral surface of the hands
Sagittal plane
A longitudinal (imaginary) line that divides the body or any of its parts into right and left sections
Frontal plane
A longitudinal imaginary line that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts, lies at a right angle to the sagittal plane
Transverse plane
Also known as the horizontal plane, an imaginary line that divides the body or any of its parts into superior and inferior sections
