Directional Terms Flashcards
Adduction
Movement toward the midline of the body.
Ex: the arm moves from shoulder height to the side of the body.
Abduction
Movement away from the midline of the body.
Ex: the arm moves from the side of the body to shoulder height.
Superior (cephalic, cranial)
Above or higher; toward the head
Ex: the chest is superior to the abdomen. The heart is superior to the stomach.
Inferior (caudal)
Below or lower; toward the tail
Ex: intestines are inferior to the stomach. The legs are inferior to the trunk.
Anterior (ventral)
Front of the body; toward the front
Ex: the navel is on the anterior side of the body. The toes are anterior to the ankle.
Posterior (dorsal)
Back of the body; toward the back
(**Doral fin of a fish is on it’s back)
Ex: the spinal column is on the posterior side of the body. The heel is posterior to the toes.
Medial
Pertaining to the middle; toward the midline
Ex: the mouth is medial to the cheeks
Lateral
Pertaining to the side; toward the side
Ex: the eyes are lateral to the nose.
External
Outside, exterior to
Ex: the ribs are external to the lungs.
Internal
Within; interior to
Ex: the brain is internal to the skull.
Superficial
Toward or on the surface
Ex: a scrape from fall is a superficial wound
Deep
Away from the surface
Ex: a bullet wound can penetrate deep into the abdomen
Proximal
Near the point of attachment to the trunk or a structure.
Ex: the ankle is proximal to the foot.
Distal
Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk or a structure
Ex: the toes are distal to the ankle
Parietal
Pertaining to the outer wall of a cavity
Ex: the parietal pleura lines of the chest cavity.
