Anatomical Terms Flashcards
ANTERIOR/VENTRAL
Front of the body relative to another reference point
POSTERIOR/DORSAL
Back of the body relative to another reference point
SUPERIOR
Above a reference point
INFERIOR
Below a reference point; away from the head
MEDIAL
Position relatively close to the midline of the body
LATERAL
Position relatively farther away from the midline
PROXIMAL
Position closer to a reference point
DISTAL
Position farther from a reference point
BILATERAL
Referring to both sides
UNILATERAL
Referring to only one side
SUPERFICIAL
Near the surface
DEEP
Further beneath the surface
CEPHALIC
Toward the head
CAUDAL
Toward the bottom
PRONE
Lying face down on one’s stomach
SUPINE
Lying on one’s backside
CRANIAL
Referring to the head or skull
IPSILATERAL
Situated on the same side
DORSUM
Upper, outer surface of an organ, appendage, or body part
ILIAC
Refers to the area of the hip bones on either side of the body
LUMBAR
Related to the lower back
THORACIC
Referring to the chest
THORAX
Portion of the trunk above the diaphragm and below the neck
UMBILICUS
The navel; Site that marks where the umbilical cord was present
CONTRALATERAL
Situated on the opposite side
