Body Directions, Positions and Planes Flashcards
caudad
Toward the tail (opposite of cephalad)
cephalad
Toward the head
superior
Above or upward
inferior
Below or downward (opposite of superior)
anterior
Toward the front of the body
posterior
Toward the back of the body (opposite of anterior)
ventral
Pertaining to the belly, front
dorsal
Pertaining to the back (opposite of ventral)
lateral
Pertaining to the side
medial
Pertaining to the middle (opposite of lateral)
unilateral
Pertaining to one side only
bilateral
Pertaining to both sides (opposite of unilateral)
proximal
Nearer the trunk or point of origin
distal
Away from the trunk or point of origin (opposite of proximal)
superficial
Near the surface
deep
Far from the surface (opposite of superficial)
anteroposterior
From front to back
anatomic position
Body in standard reference position: standing erect, arms at the side, palms facing forward
decubitus
Lying down
dorsal recumbent
Lying on back with legs bent and feet flat
Fowler position, syn. semirecumbent
Lying on back with head of bed raised 45°
lateral recumbent
Lying on the side
prone
Lying face down
supine
Lying face up
plane
An imaginary surface that extends through 2 definite points
coronal plane
Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior halves
sagittal plane
Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right halves
transverse plane
Horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower halves
