Directional / location terms Flashcards
Midline
The midline of the body is created by drawing an imaginary line down the center of the body, passing between the eyes and extending down through the umbilicus
anatomic position
The Anatomic position is a person standing, facing forward, with palms forward
plane
A plane is a flat surface, the kind that would be formed if you sliced straight through a department store dummy or an imaginary human body.
medial
The term medial refers to a position closer to the midline (with regard to anatomic position).
lateral
The term lateral refers to a position farther away from the midline.
bilateral
The term bilateral refers to “both sides” of anything.
unilateral
The term unilateral refers to one side.
The midaxillary line
The midaxillary line extends vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle. (The anatomic term for the armpit is axilla, so midaxillary means “middle of the armpit.”)
anterior
The term for the front is anterior
posterior
The term for the back is posterior
ventral
A synonym for anterior is ventral (referring to the front of the body)
dorsal
A synonym for posterior is dorsal (referring to the back of the body or back of the hand or foot)
superior
Superior means above
inferior
inferior means below
Proximal
Proximal means closer to the torso (the trunk of the body)
Distal
Distal means farther away from the torso (the trunk of the body)
palmar
referring to the palm of the hand
plantar
plantar (referring to the sole of the foot).
