Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
Anatomical position
Standing erect Head facing forward (anterior) Gaze directly forward Arms by side Palms facing forward (thumbs lateral) Feet together, directed forward
Supine position
Person is laying on their back with their toes and face directed up.
Prone position
Body is horizontal facing downward
Superior
Towards the top of the head
Inferior
Towards the soles of the feet
Cranial
Towards the head/cranium
Caudal
Towards the tailbone
Anterior
Toward the front surface of the body
Posterior
Toward the back surface of the body
Ventral
Towards the belly
Dorsal
Towards the back
Superficial
Towards the surface
Medial
Toward the midline
Lateral
Further away from the midline
Proximal
Closer to the trunk
Distal
Further from the trunk
Deep
Further from the surface
External
Outer surface
Internal
Inner surface
Median (midsagittal)
Vertical plane passing longitudinally through the midline. Divides the body into right and left halfs
Parasagittal
Sections parallel to the median plane but not in the middle
Frontal (coronal)
Vertical plane which runs from side to side. Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions
Transverse (horizontal)
Plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.
Flexion
Bending or decreasing the angle of the bones and body.
Extension
Increasing the distance/angle of the bones and body
Abduction
Moving away from the midline (limb- major movement)
Adduction
Moving toward the midline (limb - major movements)
Circumduction
Flexion, abduction, extention, adduction combined in sequence
