Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
Anterior
Ventral
Towards the front
–The parms are on the anterior side of the body
–The esophagus is anterior to the spinal cord
Posterior
Dorsal
Towards the back
–The occipital bone is on the posterior cranium (skull)
–The spinal cord is posterior to the esophagus
Superior
Cranial
Towards the head
—The nose is superior to the mouth
—the neck is superior to the chest
Inferior
Caudal
Towards the tail
—The nose is inferior to the forehead
—The umbilicus (belly button) is inferior to the chest
Proximal
Closer to the point of origin (generally the trunk)
—The knee is proximal to the ankle
—The shoulder is proximal to the elbow
Distal
Further away from the point of origin (generally the trunk)
—The foot is distal to the hip
—The wrist is distal to the elbow
Medial
Closer to the midline of the body or a body part; on the inner side
—The ear is medial to the shoulder
—The index finger is medial to the thumb
Lateral
Farther away from the midline of the body or body part; on the outer side of
—The shoulder is lateral to the chest
—The thumb is lateral to the index finger
Superficial
Closer to the surface
—The skin is superficial to the muscle
—Muscle is superficial to the bone
Deep
Farther below the surface
—Bone is deep to the skin
—Bone is deep to muscle
Abdominal
The abdomen
Region of the trunk
Cervical
The neck
Region of the trunk
Gluteal
The buttocks
Region of the trunk
Injuinal
The groin
Region of the trunk
Lumbar
The lower back
Region of the trunk
Palmar
The palm
Region of the trunk
Pelvic
The pelvis
Region of the trunk
Pubic
The pubis
Region of the truck
Sacral
The sacrum
Region of the trunk
Sternal
The sternum
Region of the trunk
Thoracic
The chest
Region of the trunk