Anatomical Directional Terms Flashcards
Superior
Above
Inferior
Below
Medial
Closer to the mid-line
Lateral
Further from the mid line
Proximal
Closest to point of attachment EX: Shoulder joint, Hip, Elbow.
Distal
Furthest from point of attachment
Cephalic
In reference to the head
Candal
In reference to the tailbone
Superficial
Closer toward the surface away from the interior of the body
Deep
Further inside the interior of the body, 2 stab wounds can be compared, one is more superficial or deep compared to the other
Ventral
Bottom fins on animals that are non bipedal, On humans it is the chest area going from the top of the chest to the bottom by the pelvic region
Dorsal
Back fins on non bipedal organisms. In humans it is the entire back from thoracic to sacral/lumbar.
Sagittal
Plane going vertically from the cephalic to caudal region including the mid line to the left and right
Parasagittal
Plane that is going vertically up and down from the cephalic to the caudal region that is offset of the mid line
Frontal
A vertical cut that separates the anterior and posterior half of the body which can move forwards toward the facial area or towards the posterior side of the cranium.
Longitudinal
Cut that goes lengthwise that follows the limb from the point of attachment toward the distal phalanges.
Cross section
Cuts the limb at any point travelling up and down it horizontally, like a transverse cut
Transverse/Axial/Horizontal
A horizontal cut primarily seen on the abdominal area that separates a superior and inferior half of the body can travel up and down.
Oblique
A cut that is slanted falls into any cut in anatomical planes.
