Directional Terms Flashcards
Superior
Above or toward the head
ex: the hand is part of the superior extremity
Inferior
Away from the head
ex: the foot is part of the inferior extremity
Anterior
Front
ex: the knee cap is located on the anterior side of the leg
Posterior
Back
ex: the shoulder blades are part of the posterior side of the body
Medial
Toward the midline of the body
ex: the big toe is located at the medial side of the foot)
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body
ex: the little toe is located at the lateral side of the foot)
Proximal
Toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin of a part ex: the proximal end of the femur joins with the pelvic bone
Distal
Away from or farthest from the trunk or the point or origin of a part
ex: the hand is located at the distal end of the forearm
Superficial
Towards the surface
Deep
Away from the surface
Coronal Plane(Frontal Plane)
Front side separated from the back side
Sagittal Plane(Median Plane)
Left side is separated from the right side of the body
Transverse Plane(Horizontal Plane)
Lower half separated from the top half of the body
Axial Portion
Head, neck, spine
Appendicular Portion
Portion (limbs) - arms & legs
Viscera
Internal organs- “Visceral organs”
Anatomical Position
Standing upright, palms facing forward
Supine
Laying on your back(face up)
Prone
Laying on your stomach(face down)
