Directional Terms Flashcards
A surface, real or imaginary, along which any two points can be connected by a straight line
Plane
Divides the head, body, or limb longitudinally into equal right and left halves
Median Plane
Passes through the head, body, or limb parallel to the median plane
Sagittal Plane
Cuts across the head, body, or limb at a right angle to its long axis or across the long axis of an organ or a part
Transverse Plane
Runs at right angles to the median and transverse planes and thus divides the body or head into dorsal and ventral portions
Dorsal Plane
Toward or relatively near the upper surface of the head, body, and tail.
Dorsal
Toward or relatively near the supporting surface and the corresponding surface of the head, neck, thorax, and tail. NEVER used for the limbs
Ventral
Toward or relatively near the median plane
Medial
Away from or relatively farther from the median plane
Lateral
Toward or relatively near the head; on the limbs it applies proximal to the carpus and tarsus
Cranial
Toward or relatively near the nose; applies to the head only
Rostral
Toward or relatively near the tail; on the limbs it applies proximal to the carpus and tarsus
Caudal
Close to, or in the direction of the center of an organ, body cavity, or structure
Internal or Inner
Away from the center of an organ or structure
External or Outer
Relatively near the surface of the body or the surface of a solid organ
Superficial
Relatively near the center of the body or the center of the solid organ
Deep
Relatively near the main mass or origin; in the limbs and tail, the attached end of that structure
Proximal
Away from the main mass or origin; in the limbs and tail, the free end of the structure
Distal
On that side of the forearm in which the radius is located
Radial
On that side of the forearm in which the ulna is located
Ulnar
On the corresponding sides of the leg, the tibial side being medial and the fibular side being lateral
Tibial and Fibular
The aspect of the forepaw on which the pads are located– the surface that contacts the ground in the standing animal– and the corresponding surface of the metacarpus and carpus
Palmar
The aspect of the hindpaw on which the pads are located–the surface that contacts the ground in the standing animal–and the corresponding surface on the metatarsus and tarsus.
Plantar
The central line of the body or any of its parts
Axis
Pertaining to or relative to the axis. In reference to the digits, the functional axis of the limb passes between the third and fourth digits.
Axial/Abaxial
The movement of one bone in relation to another in such a manner that the angle formed at their joint is reduced. The limb is retracted or folded; the digit is bent; the back is arched dorsally
Flexion
The movement of one bone upon another such that the angle formed at their joint increases. The limb reaches out or is extended; the digit is straightened
Extension
The movement of a part away from the median plane
Abduction
The movement of a part toward the median plane
Adduction
The movement of a part when outlining the surface of a cone
Circumduction
The movement of a part around its long axis
Rotation
Lateral rotation of the appendage so that the palmar or plantar surface of the paw faces medially
Supination
Medial rotation of the appendage from the supine position so that the palmar or plantar surface will face the substrate
Pronation
The arm; between the shoulder and elbow
Brachium
For the forearm; between the elbow and the carpus
Antebrachium
For the pelvic limb; between the hip and stifle
Thigh
For the leg; between stifle and tarsus
Crus
