Directional Terminology Flashcards
Anterior
Towards the front
Posterior
Towards the back
Ventral
Belly (regardless of anatomical position or directionality)
Cranial or Cephalic
The head
Superior
Towards the top
Caudal
The tail (coccyx in humans)
Inferior
Towards the bottom of the torso
Medial
Towards the midline
Ventral
Belly
Dorsal
Back
Lateral
away from the midline
Proximal
Toward the attached base
Distal
Away from the attached base
Superficial
At, near, or relatively close to the body surface
Deep
Farther from the body surface
Intermediate
Located between deep and superficial locations in the body
Bilateral
Both sides of the body
Unilateral
Only on one side of the body
Ipsilateral
Same side of the body but NOT on the same structure
Contralateral
Found on the opposite side of the body but NOT on the same structure
Brachium
Upper arm
Antecubital
“Bend of the elbow region” This is immediately inferior to the brachium
Antebrachium
Lower arm; this is immediately inferior to the antecubital region
Carpal
Wrist region; this area is immediately inferior to the antebrachium
Olecranon
Posterior elbow; this is posterior to the antecubital
Pollex
Thumb; the pollex is the most lateral digit of the hand
Femoral
Upper leg
Patella
Anterior knee; this is inferior to the femoral region
Crus
The entire lower leg; this is inferior to the patella
Popliteus
Posterior to the patella; this area is immediately inferior to the femoral region on the posterior side; “back of the knee”
Sura
The posterior crus; this are is immediately inferior to the popliteus region
Tarsus
Ankle region; this area is immediately inferior to the crus
Hallux
Big toe; the hallux is the most medial digit of the foot
Axilla
Armpit; the region between the lateral chest and the brachium
Thoracic
The entire anterior chest
Mamma
The breast area of the thorax
Abdomen
The “gut” area; this area is immediately inferior to the thoracic region
Umbilicus
Referred to as the “belly button”
Pelvis
The hip region
Inguinal
The oblique crease area between the femoral and the abdominal region