Directional Terms Flashcards
Anterior
front
Posterior
back
Contralateral
Opposite side
Ipsilateral
Same side
Bilateral
Both sides
Inferior
Towards feet
Superior
Towards head
Superficial
Close to surface of skin
Deep
Furthest from surface to skin
Dexter
right dominant
Sinister
left dominant
Lateral
Away from midline
Medial
Close to midline
Distal
Furthest from origin of the limb
Proximal
Towards origin of the limb
Dorsal
Top of foot
Palmar
Palm of hand
Volar
Palm of hand or sole of foot
Plantar
Sole of foot
Mid-axillary line
Line running vertically down surface of body past apex of axilla (raised arm to head all the way down to armpit)
Mid-sternal line
Line running vertically down surface of body passing through middle of sternum
Anterior axillary line
Line parallel to mid-axillary line and passing through anterior axillary skin fold (in front of armpit)
Scapular line
Line running vertically down posterior surface of body passing through inferior angle of scapula
Vertebral line
Line running vertically down through spinous processes of spine
Posterior Axillary line
line parallel to mid-axillary line and passing through posterior axillary skin fold (behind armpit)
