Anatomical Directions Flashcards
Define Sagittal / Medial
divides the body or an organ into right and left sides
Define Frontal (Coronal)
divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior sides
Define Transverse (Horizontal)
divides the body or organ into superior and inferior halves
Define Oblique
Passes through the body or organ at an oblique angle
Define Towards the head, or the upper part of a structure
Superior (Cranial)
Define away from head, or lower part of a structure
Inferior (Caudal)
Define nearer to or at the front of body
Anterior (Ventral)
Define nearer to or at the back of body
Posterior (Dorsal)
Define Nearer to the midline
Medial
Define further from the midline
Lateral
Define between 2 structures
intermediate
Define on the same side of the body as another structure
Ipsilateral
Define the opposite side of the body as another structure
Contralateral
Define closer to the trunk or point of attachment
Distal
Define toward or on the surface of the body
superficial
Define deep to the surface of the body
Deep
Define elevation
is the joint movement that raises bones in the superior direction (ie closing your mouth)
Define depression
is the joint movement that lowers bones in the inferior direction (ie lower your mandible to take a bite of food)
Define opposition
touching the tip of the thumb to the tip of another digit of same hand
Define reposition
removal of tip of thumb from another digit on same hand
Define rotation
a turning movement of bones at a joint
Define lateral rotation
a rotating movement away from the midline of the body
Define medial rotation
a rotating movement towards the midline of the body
Define protraction
moves a structure anteriorly out of the anatomical position (ie being drawn forwards)
Define retraction
moves structures posteriorly out of the anatomical position (ie being drawn backwards
Define dorsiflexion
the joint movement where the soles of your feet are raised up off the floor and the angle between the ankle and the tibia/fibula is decreased
Define plantar flexion
the joint movement where the angle between the ankle and the tibia/fibula is increased
Define inversion
medial movement of the ankle to move the foot so that the toes point toward the midline of body
Define eversion
lateral movement of the ankle to move the foot so that the toes point away from the midline of the body
Define abduction
movement away from the midline of body
Define adduction
movement toward the middle of the body
