Directional Terms Flashcards
cephalic
head
toward the top of the body
superior
above
toward the top of the body
caudal
tail
toward the lower end of the body
inferior
below
toward the lower end of the body
anterior/ventral
toward the front of the body
posterior/dorsal
toward the back of the body
medial
toward the midline or middle
lateral
toward the side
distal
away from the point of origin or from the beginning of a structure
proximal
closest to the point of origin or near the beginning of a structure
umbilical region
around the navel
epigastric region
directly above the umbilical region
hypogastric region
directly below the umbilical regions
hypochondriac region
to the right and left of the epigastric region
lumbar regiions
to the right and left of the umbilical region
iliac regions
to the right and left of the hypogastric region
extension
movement in which a limb is placed in a straight position
flexion
movement in which a limb is bent
afferent
conveying toward a center
efferent
conveying away from the center
plantar
pertaining to the sole of the foot
palmar
pertaining to the palm of the hand
prone
lying straight on one’s front; facedown
supine
lying straight on one’s back; faceup
deep
situated away from the surface
superficial
situated near the surface
adduction
state of drawing toward the middle
abduction
state of drawing away from the middle
eversion
state of turning outward
inversion
state of turning inward
bilateral
pertaining to both sides
unilateral
pertaining to one side only
