Direction / Movement / 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 toward the median line or middle of the body.
Caudal
Pertaining to the tail end of the body, or denoting a position more toward the tail or rear of the body than another reference point (body part). Example: The tail is caudal to the head.
Central
Pertaining to or situated near the more proximal areas of the body or a structure; opposite of peripheral. Example: The spinal cord is central to the sciatic nerve.
Cranial
Pertaining to the cranium or head end of the body, or denoting a position more toward the cranium or head end of the body than another reference point (body part). Example: The head is cranial to the tail.
Deep
Situated away from the surface of the body or a structure; opposite of superficial. Example: The muscles are deep to the skin.
Distal
Farther from the center of the body, relative to another body part, or location on a body part relative to another closer location. Example: The tibia is distal to the femur.
Dorsal
Pertaining to the back area of a quadruped (animal with four legs), or denoting a position more toward the spine than another reference point (body part). Example: The vertebral column is dorsal to the abdomen.
Extension
The act of straightening, such as a joint; also, the act of pulling two component parts apart to lengthen the whole part.
Flexion
The act of bending, such as a joint.
Lateral
Denoting a position farther from the median plane of the body, or a structure on the side or toward the side away from the median plane, or pertaining to the side of the body or of a structure. Example: The lateral surface of the leg is the “outside” surface.
Medial
Denoting a position closer to the median plane of the body, or a structure toward the middle or median plane, or pertaining to the middle or a position closer to the median plane of the body or a structure. Example: The medial surface of the leg is the “inside” surface.
Oblique
At an angle, or pertaining to an angle. Example: The vein crosses obliquely from the dorsal left side to the ventral right side.
Palmar
Palmar pertains to the caudal surface of the front foot distal to the antebrachiocarpal joint; also pertains to the undersurface of the front foot.
Adjacent
Next to, adjoining, or close. Example: The tongue is adjacent to the teeth.
Peripheral
Pertaining to or situated near the periphery, the outermost part, or surface of an organ or part. Example: The enamel of a tooth is peripheral to the dentin and central root canal.
Plantar
Plantar pertains to the caudal surface of the back foot distal to the tarsocrural joint; also pertains to the undersurface of the rear foot.
Prone, Pronation
Lying face down, in ventral recumbency. Pronation is 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. Example: The humerus is proximal to the radius.
Recumbent
Lying down; a modifying term is needed to describe the surface on which the animal is lying. Example: An animal in dorsal recumbency is lying on its dorsum (back), face up
Rostral
Pertaining to the nose end of the head or body, or toward the nose. Example: The nose is rostral to the eyes.
Superficial
Situated near the surface of the body or a structure; opposite of deep. Example: The skin is superficial to the muscles.
Supine, Supination
Lying face up, in dorsal recumbency. Supination is 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 toward the abdomen than another reference point (body part). Example: The intestines are ventral to the vertebral column.
