Directional Terms Flashcards
1.1.2
Anatomical position
the body is standing up straight with arms hanging at the sides and palms facing forward
Directional terms
words that describe the location of one structure in relation to another. These terms are also used to indicate specific locations on organs or bones
Regional terms
words that describe specific regions or locations on the body
Body planes
words that act like a coordinate system to describe a human in the anatomical position
Body cavities
words that describe the spaces of the body that contain the internal organs, or viscera
Anterior
“in front of” or “the front surface of”
Posterior
the back side of things
Superficial
situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it
Deep
away from the surface or further into the body
Distal
situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment
Proximal
nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body
Ventral
pertaining to the front or anterior of any structure. This includes the chest, abdomen, shins, palms, and soles
Dorsal
the back portion of the body
Inferior
towards the bottom or away from the head-end of the body
Superior
toward the head-end of the body; upper
