Directional Terms Flashcards
Anatomical Position
standing erect, face forward, arms at side, palms facing forward
Superior (cranial)
Towards the head end of the body, upper
Inferior (caudal)
Away from the head, lower
Anterior
Front
Posterior
Back
Medial
Towards the midline of the body
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body
Proximal
Towards the point of origin
Distal
Away from the point of origin
Superficial
Towards the surface
Deep
Away from the surface
Supine
Lying on your back
Prone
Lying on your stomach
Sagittal (median) Plane
Splits the body to left and right
Transverse (horizontal) Plane
Splits the body to top and bottom
Coronal (frontal) Plane
Splits the body to front and back
Axial Portion
Torso (head, neck, spine)
Appendicular Portion
Limbs (arms and legs)
Viscera
Internal organs
Dorsal
Back Side
Ventral
Front Side
Integumentary System Function
Barrier of invading organisms/chemicals; internal body temperature control
Integumentary System Organs
Skin and hair
Skeletal System Function
Support and move body; protect internal organs
Skeletal System Organs
Bones, cartilage, ligaments, bone marrow
