Directional Terms Flashcards
Superficial
Pertaining to the surface of the body or near the surface
Deep
Away from the surface and toward the inside of the body
Anterior
Pertaining to the front of the body or toward the Nelly of the body
Posterior
Pertaining to the back of the body
Ventral
Of or pertaining to a position toward the belly of the body. Also, frontward or anterior.
Dorsal
Pertaining to the back, or posterior
Medial
Toward the midline of the body
Lateral
Toward the side of the body, away from the midline of the body
Superior
Above or upward toward the head
Inferior
Below or downward toward the tail or feet
Cranial
Pertaining to the head
Caudal
Pertaining to the tail
Distal
Away from or farthest from the trunk of the body or farthest from the point of origin on a body part
Proximal
Toward or near to the point of origin
Supine
Lying on the back, facing up
Prone
Lying facedown
Supinate
Turning palms of hands upward or forward, or raising the medial side of the foot.
Pronate
Turning palms of hands downward, or turning the foot so that the inner sole bears the weight.
Plantar
Pertaining to the sole, or bottom, of the foot
Dorsum
Back, or posterior, surface
Anasplasia
Change in the structure and orientation of the cells
Aplasia
Absence of any organ or tissue
Dysplasia
Abnormal development of tissues or organs
Hyperplasia
Excessive formation
Neoplasia
New abnormal development of cells, benign or malignant
Frontal plane aka coronal plane
Any vertical planes passing through the body from head to the feet that divide the body into front (anterior) and back(posterior)
Midsagittal Plane aka Median plane
A vertical plane through the middle of the body that divides the body into equal right and left halves.
Transverse Plane
A horizontal field dividing the body into upper (top) and lower (bottom) portions
