Anatomical Position Flashcards
Dorsal
Back surface of the body
Ventral
Belly surface of the body
Posterior
Backside of the body or one of its parts
Anterior
Front side of the body or one of its parts
Superior
Above
Inferior
Below
Medial
Towards the median or mid sagittal plane
Lateral
Towards the side of the structure or body (farther from the median plane)
Proximal
Nearer the base or point of origin of the structure
Distal
Farther from the base or point of origin of the structure
Cranial
Toward or related to the head end of the body
Rostral
Toward the beak or snout end of the body
Caudal
Toward or related to the tail end of the body
Superficial
Towards or situated near the surface
Deep/Profundus
Situated at a deeper level in relation to other structures
External
Toward the outside surface of a structure or body
Internal
Toward the inside surface of a structure or body
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body
Contralateral
On the opposite side of the body
Sagittal Plane
Vertical plane that separates the body into left and right parts
Median or Median Sagittal Plane
Vertical plane that divides the body longitudinally into exact right and left halves
Pararmedian or Parasagittal Plane
Any saggital plane that is parallel to the median plane and divides the body into unequal right and left parts
Coronal/Frontal Plane
Vertical planes that divide the body into anterior and posterior parts
Horizontal Plane
Plane that is parallel to the horizon and is situated at right angles to either side of the vertical planes
Longitudinal Sections
Sections, slices, or cuts of the body that run in the direction of the long axis of the body or organ
Transverse Sections
Sections of the body or an organ that are made at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body, its parts, or an organ
Head
The superior most portion of the body
Trunk
Portion of the body that incorporates the span of the vertebral column (the body excluding the head and extremities)
Pectoral Girdle or Shoulder Girdle
Support structure at the base of the upper limb (consists of the scapula and clavical)
Brachium or Arm
Portion of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow (humerus)
Antebrachium or Forearm
Portion of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist (consists of the ulna and the radius)
Manus or Hand
Portion of the upper limb that consists of the wrist bones, the metacarpal bones in the palm, and to the bones in the fingers
Carpus or Wrist
Proximal most portion of the hand
Metacarpus
Region forming the palm and dorsum of the hand
Digits or Fingers and Thumb
Five ray-like extensions at the distal end of the hand
Pelvic Girdle
The skeletal base of the inferior limb and is comprised of the os coxae bone
Clones or Buttocks
Fleshy muscles and fat that cover the posterior and lateral aspects of the pelvic girdle
Coxa or Hip
Junction, or joint, formed by the femur and os coax at the proximal end of the inferior limb
Thigh
Portion of the lower limb between the hip and the knee (consisting of the femur)
Crus or Leg
Portion of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle (consisting of the fibula and tibia)
Pets or Foot
Portion of the lower limb (consisting of the ankle at the proximal end, the metatarsus forming the middle portion of the foot, and the digits)
Tarsus or Ankle
Heel end or root of the foot
Metatarsus
Intermediate portion of the foot
Digits or Toes
Five ray-like extensions at the distal end of the foot
Cranial Cavity
Cavity within the bones of the skull
Thoracic Cavity
Cavity within the musculoskeletal l of the rib cage
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Cavity enclosed by the abdominal muscles and the pelvic bones and muscles (separated from the thoracic cavity by the muscular diaphragm)
