Directional Terms Flashcards
Superficial (so͞opərˈfiSHəl)
2.Situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it.
Abduction
The movement of a limb away from the midline of the body. The opposite of abduction is adduction.
Adduction
Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body. The opposite of adduction is abduction
Medial
Pertaining to the middle; in or toward the middle; nearer the middle of the body. Medial is as opposed to lateral. For example, the medial side of the knee is the side closest to the other knee whereas the lateral side of the knee is the outside of the knee.
Lateral
In anatomy, the side of the body or a body part that is farther from the middle or center of the body. Typically, lateral refers to the outer side of the body part, but it is also used to refer to the side of a body part. For example, when referring to the knee, lateral refers to the side of the knee farthest from the opposite knee. The opposite of lateral is medial.
Superior
In antomy, above or over top of. As opposed to inferior. The heart is superior to the stomach. The superior surface of the tongue rests against the palate.
Inferior
In anatomy, below or toward the feet. As opposed to superior. The liver is inferior to the lungs.
Proximal
Toward the beginning, the nearer of two (or more) items. For example, the proximal end of the femur is part of the hip joint, and the shoulder is proximal to the elbow. The opposite of proximal is distal
Distal
The more (or most) distant of two (or more) things. For example, the distal end of the femur (the thigh bone) is the end down by the knee; the end more distant from the torso. The distal bile duct is the far end of the cystic duct, the end away from the gallbladder. And the distal lymph node in a chain of nodes is the most distant one. The opposite of distal is proximal.
Anterior
The front, as opposed to the posterior. The anterior surface of the heart is toward the breast bone (the sternum).
Posterior
The back or behind, as opposed to the anterior.
parietal
Adjective from the Latin “parietalis” meaning “belonging to the wall” that the ancient anatomists used to designate the wall, as of a body cavity.
visceral
Referring to the viscera, the internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (as the heart or lungs) or abdomen (as the liver, pancreas or intestines).
Prone
With the front (or ventral) surface downward. To lie prone is to lie face downward. Prone is as opposed to supine.
Supine
With the back or dorsal surface downward. A person who is supine is lying face up. As opposed to prone.
