Anatomical References Flashcards
What does ‘anterior’ or ‘rostral’ mean?
Toward the front end or nose.
What does ‘posterior’ or ‘caudal’ mean?
Toward the back end or tail.
What does ‘dorsal’ mean?
Toward the back or upper side.
What does ‘ventral’ mean?
Toward the belly or lower side.
Define ‘bilateral symmetry’.
The right and left sides of the brain and spinal cord are mirror images of each other.
What is the ‘midline’?
The invisible line running down the middle of the nervous system.
Define ‘medial’.
Structures closer to the midline.
Define ‘lateral’.
Structures farther from the midline.
What does ‘ipsilateral’ mean?
Two structures on the same side of the midline.
What does ‘contralateral’ mean?
Two structures on opposite sides of the midline.
What is a ‘section’ in anatomical terms?
A slice through the brain or spinal cord.
Define ‘midsagittal plane’.
The plane resulting from splitting the brain into equal right and left halves.
What is a ‘sagittal plane’?
Sections parallel to the midsagittal plane.
Define ‘horizontal plane’.
A plane parallel to the ground, dividing the brain into dorsal and ventral parts.
What is a ‘coronal plane’?
A plane perpendicular to the ground and to the sagittal plane, dividing the brain into anterior and posterior parts.
