directional terminology 1/30/25 Flashcards
superior
top of the body
inferior
toward the bottom
medial
toward the middle
(left/right) lateral
away from the middle
anterior
toward the front of the body
posterior
toward the back of the body
supine
face up
prone
face down
Dorsal
along or toward the back (posterior)
ventral
along or toward the front (anterior)
caudad
toward the tail
cephalad
toward the head
distal
away from trunk/point of attachment
proximal
toward from trunk/point of attachment
visceral/deep
toward the internal organs, away from outer walls
parietal/superficial
toward the wall, away from the organs
medullary
inner region
cortical
outer region
sagittal plane
divides body into left and right halves
coronal plane
divides body into front and back (anterior and posterior)
transverse plane
divides body into upper and lower halves (horizontal plane)
hyoid bone
under the mandible, protects the larynx
