Direction, Movement, and Body Regions Flashcards
Abduction
Movement of a limb or part away from the median line or middle of the body
Adduction
Movement of a limb or part towards the median line or middle of the body
Adjacent
Next to, adjoining, or close
Caudal
Pertaining to the tail end of the body, or denoting a position more towards the tail or rear of the body that another reference point
Central
Pertaining to or situated near the more proximal areas of the body or a structure; opposite of peripheral
Cranial
Pertaining to the cranium or head end of the body, or denoting a position more towards the cranium or head than another reference point
Deep/internal
Situated away from the surface of the body or a structure; opposite of superficial
Distal
Farther from the center of the body, relative to another body part, or location on a body part relative to another closer location
Dorsal
Pertaining to the back area of a quadruped, or denoting a position more towards the spine than another reference point
Extension
The act of straightening, also the act of pulling two components apart to lengthen the whole part
Flexion
The act of bending
Lateral
Denoting a position farther from the median plane of the body, or a structure on the side or towards the side from the medial plane, or pertaining to the side of the body or a structure
Medial
Denoting a position closer to the median plane of the body, or a structure towards the middle or median plane, or pertaining to the middle or a position closer to the median plane of the body or a structure
Oblique
At an angle, or pertaining to an angle
Palmar
Pertaining to the caudal surface or the front foot distal to the antebrachiocarpal joint, also pertains to the undersurface of the front foot
Peripheral
Pertaining to or situated near the periphery, the outermost part, or surface of an organ or part
Plantar
Pertaining to the caudal surface of the back foot distal to the tarsocrural joint, also pertains to the undersurface of the rear foot
Prone
Lying face down, in ventral recumbency
Pronation
The act of turning the body or a leg so the ventral aspect is down
Proximal
Nearer to the center of the body, relative to another body part, or a location on a body part relative to another more distant location
Recumbent
Lying down
Rostral
Pertaining to the nose end of the head or body, or towards the nose
Superficial/external
Situated near the surface of the body or a structure; opposite of deep
Supine
Lying face up, dorsal recumbency
Supination
The act of turning the body or a leg so that the ventral aspect is uppermost
Ventral
Pertaining to the underside of a quadruped, or denoting a position more towards the abdomen than another reference point
Occlusal
The chewing or biting surface of teeth
Buccal
Towards the cheek, tooth surface towards the cheek
Lingual
Pertaining to the tongue, tooth surface towards the teeth
Contact
Tooth surface facing an adjacent or opposing tooth
Mesial
Tooth surface closest to the midline of the dental arcade
Median plane
An imaginary plane that runs down the center of the body lengthwise and divides it into equal left and right halves
Transverse plane
Divides the body into cranial and caudal parts
Dorsal plane
Runs lengthwise down the body and divides it into dorsal and ventral portions
Withers
The area dorsal to the shoulder blades
Flank
The lateral side of the abdomen between the last rib and the hind limb
Muzzle
The most rostral portion of the face
Tailhead
Dorsal surface where the tail joins the body
Stifle
Joint of a hindlimb that would be equivalent to the human knee
Hock
Joint of the hindlimb that would be equivalent to the human ankle
Carpus
Joint of the forelimb that would be equivalent to the human wrist
Axilla (axillary region)
Area of the forelimb equivalent to the human armpit
Inguinal region
Groin, site where the upper part of the hindlimb meets the abdomen
