Chapter 2: Directional Terms and Planes Flashcards
above, in an upward direction
superior
below, in a downward direction
inferior
in front of or before
anterior
toward the back
posterior
toward the head
cephalad
pertaining to the skull
cranial
toward the midline
medial
to the side
lateral
nearest the point of attatchment
proximal
away from the point of attatchment
distal
the same as anterior, the front side
ventral
the same as posterior, the back side
dorsal
toward the surface
superficial
far down from the surface
deep
the top or highest point
vertex
the pointed end of a cone-shaped structure
apex
pertaining to the tail
caudal
the body is laying face upward
supine
the body is laying face downward
prone
the plane that vertically divides the body as it passes through the midline to form right and left sides
saggital
the plane that horizontally divides the body into superior and inferior portions
transverse
the plane that divides the body in to anterior and posterior portions
coronal or frontal
