Directional Terms Flashcards
Anterior
Towards the front of the body
Ie
The sternum is anterior to the heart
Posterior
Toward the back
ie the oesophagus is posterior to the trachea
Ventral
Towards the belly side
The umbilicus is ventral to the intestines
Dorsal
Towards the spine
ie the heart is dorsal to the spine
Cranial/ cephalic
Towards the head
Rostral
Towards the beak/ nose
ie the frontal lobe is rostral to the occipital lobe.
Caudal
Towards the tail
ie the spinal cord is caudal to the brain
Superior
Higher in position
ie the heart is superior to the diaphragm
Inferiror
Lower in position
ie The stomach is inferior to the lungs
Medial
Towards the midline/ mid sagital plane
ie the ulna is medial to the radius
Lateral
Away from the midline
The lungs are lateral to the heart
Proximal
Closer to the point of origin/ point of attachment.
ie. the shoulders are proximal to the elbow
Distal
Away/ further from the point of origin
ie. the hand is distal from the elbow
Superfical
Towards on the surface of body
ie. the skin is superfical to the muscles
Deep
Away from the surface of the body
ie the bones are deeper to the muscles
