Directional Terms Flashcards
Cranial
towards the head
Caudal
Towards the tail
Rostral
towards the tip of the nose
Dorsal
Towards the back (dorsal fin)
Ventral
Towards the belly
Lateral
Away from the median plane
Medial
Towards median plane
Proximal
Towards attachment of appendage (proximity)
Distal
Away from attachment of appendage (distance)
Palmar
Front foot ventral (palm of hand)
Plantar
Rear foot ventral (plantar fasciitis)
Recumbency
Laying down
Lateral recumbency L + R
Laying on left or right side
Dorsal Recumbency
Laying on back
Ventral Recumbency
Laying on stomach w/head down
Sternal Recumbency
Laying on stomach w/ head up
Axilla
Armpit; medial aspect of the front leg attached to torso
Inguinal
Groin; medial aspect of the hind leg attached to torso
Perineal
Region between or surrounding the anus or external genitalia
Abduction
Moving limb away from median plane (kidnap)
Adduction
Moving limb toward median plane
Extension
Large angle; make straight
Flexion
Angle small ; to bend
Pronation
Turn limb or body so ventral is down (gay hand)
Supination
Turn limb or body or ventral is up (soup)
Planes
Imaginary slices of the body
Dorsal Plane
Divides the body dorsal and ventral
Median Plane
Divides the body down the middle of equal left and right sides
Sagittal Plane
Cut in in half but not close to median plane
Transverse Plane
Cranial and caudal
