Directional Terms Flashcards
Posterior
Toward the back of the body
Anterior
Toward the front of the body
Dorsal
Toward the back of the body or backside
Central
Toward the front of body or anterior side
Superior
Toward the head
Inferior
Toward the feet
Medial
Middle
Caudial
Toward the tail
Lateral
Side
Sagittal
A plane that divides the body into left and right sides. Not necessarily equal sides
Coronal
A plane that separates the front from the back of the body. Also called the frontal plane
Transverse
A plane that separates the body into a top and bottom part. Also called the axial plane
Proximal
Near the point of attachment or midline
Distal
Farthest from te point of attachment or midline
Abduct
To move away from the body
Adduct
To move toward the body
Anatomical postion
To stand erect with arms to the sides with palms facing anteriorly
Flex
To tighten a muscle by a contraction; to bend
Extend
To stretch out to the full length
Midsagittal
A plane that divides the body into equal left and right sides
Epi
Above
Hypo
Below
Hyper
Above
Sub
Below
Supine
Patient is flat on back,face up
Prone
The patient lays on their abdomen with legs together and face turned to the side
Recumbent
Any position in which the patient is lying down
Trendelenburg position
Lying on back with knees bent and legs elevated slightly higher than the head
Chondr/o
Cartilage
