Directional references Flashcards
What does superior refer to?
Above a certain structure or location of the body.
What does inferior refer to?
Below a certain structure or location of the body.
What does ventral or anterior refer to?
Toward the belly or front of the body or structure.
What does dorsal or posterior refer to?
Toward the back / rear of the body or structure.
What does medial refer to?
Toward the middle, body midline or in the center of the body.
What does lateral refer to?
On the side of the body, or structure.
What does intermediate refer to?
Between two organs, objects, or points of the body.
Between two structures
For example, the collarbone is intermediate between the shoulder and the breastbone
What does ipsilateral refer to?
ips•il•ateral
On the same side of the body or structure.
For example, the left arm is ipsilateral to the left leg.
What does contralateral refer to?
On opposite sides of the body or structure.
For example, the right arm and leg are controlled by the left, contralateral, side of the brain
What does proximal refer to?
Toward an origin of a structure or closest to the body midline.
What does distal refer to?
Farther away from an origin of a structure or the body midline.
What does superficial refer to?
Toward the surface of a structure or body.
For example, the outer layers of skin are superficial to deeper layers of skin
What does deep refer to?
Away from the surface of a structure or body.
For example, bones in an appendage are located deeper than the muscles
What does the anatomical position refer to?
The basic reference position used for all directional terms in Anatomy. Feet forward, face forward, arms at sides palms rotated forward
