Body Direction Terms Flashcards
Refers to the front, or belly side, of the organ of the body.
Ventral
ventr- belly side of the body
-al – pertaining to
Refers to the back of the organ or body.
Dorsal
dors - back of the body
-al – pertaining to
It is situated in the front. It also means in the front or forward part of an organ.
Example: stomach located in front of the pancreas.
Anterior
anter- front or before
-ior – pertaining to
It is situated in the back. It also means the back part of an organ.
This is also used in reference of dorsal surface of the body.
Example: pancreas located behind the stomach
Posterior
Post- behind
-ior – pertaining to
The uppermost, above, or toward the head.
Example: the lungs is located above the diaphragm.
Superior
It is the lowermost, below, or toward the feet.
Example: the stomach is located below the diaphragm.
Inferior
It means “toward the head”
Cephalic
cephal - head
-ic – pertaining to
It means “toward the lower part of the body”
Caudal
caud - tail or lower part of the body
-al – pertaining to
It is situated nearest the midline or beginning of the body structured
Proximal
It is situated farthest from the midline or beginning of a body structure.
Distal
It is the directions toward, or nearer, the midline.
Medial
It is the direction toward, or nearer, the side of the body, away from the midline.
Lateral
