Directional Terms Flashcards
Posterior
Toward back of body
Anterior
Toward front of the body
Dorsal
Toward the back of body or back side
Ventral
To the front of body or anterior side
Superior
Toward the head
Inferior
Toward the feet
Cephalic
Toward the head
Caudal
Toward the feet
Medial
Toward the middle/ midline
Lateral
Toward the side or away from the middle
Sagittal
A plane that divides the body in left and right sides. Not necessarily equal
Mid-sagittal
Divides body into equal left and right sides
Coronal plane
Plane that separates the front from the back. Also called the frontal plane
Transverse plane
Plane that separates the body into a top and a bottom part. Also called the axial plane
Proximal
Closer to the point of attachment or midline
Distal
Farthest from the point of attachment or midline
Abduct
To move away from body
Adduct
To move toward the body
Anatomical position
To stand erect with arms to the sides with palms facing anterior
Flex
Tightening a muscle by contraction or to bend
Extend
To stretch out to the full length
Epi-
Above
Hypo-
Below
Hyper-
Above
Sub-
Below
Supine
Face up and flat on back
Prone
On abdomen with legs together, head faced to the side
Recumbent
Any position in which the patient is laying down
Trendelenburg position
Laying on back, knees bent and legs elevated slightly higher than the head
Cond/o/i
Cartilage
