Directions Flashcards
Towards the front of the body
Anterior (Ventral)
Ex: The chest is anterior to the spine
Towards the back of the body
Posterior (Dorsal)
Ex: The spine is posterior to the stomach
Toward the head or upper part of the body
Superior (Cranial or Cephalic)
Ex: The head is superior to the abdomen
Away from the head or toward the lower part of the body
Inferior (Caudal)
Ex: The stomach is inferior to the chest
Toward the midline of the body
Medial
Ex: The nose is medial to the eyes
Away from the midline of the body
Lateral
Ex: The arms are lateral to the chest
Closer to the origin of the body part/the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Proximal
Ex: The shoulder is proximal to the elbow
Further from the origin of the body part/the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Distal
Ex: the wrist is distal to the elbow `
Toward or at the body surface
Superficial (External)
Ex: The skin is superficial to the muscles
Away from the body surface/more internal
Deep (Internal)
Ex: The lungs are deep to the ribcage
On the same side of the body
Ipsilateral
Ex: The right hand is ipsilateral to the right foot
On the opposite side of the body
Contralateral
Ex: The right hand is contralateral to the left hand
Lying face down
Prone
Ex: The patient is lying prone for a back examinations
Lying face up
Supine
Ex: The patient is lying supine for an abdominal examination
Referring to the palm side of the hand
Palmar
Ex: The palmar surface is what you use to grip objects
Referring to the sole of the foot
Plantar
Ex: The plantar surface touches the ground when standing
Between two structures
Intermediate
Ex: The collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and the shoulder
Pertaining to the walls of the body cavity
Parietal
Ex: The parietal pleura lines the chest cavity
Pertaining to the covering of an organ within a body cavity
Visceral
Ex: The visceral pleura covers the lungs
Refers to the central part of the body (head, neck, and trunk)
Axial
Ex: The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage
Refers to the limbs (appendages) of the body
Appendicular
Ex: The appendicular skeleton includes the bones or the arms and legs
Pertaining to the head
Cephalic
Ex: The cephalic vein is located in the head region
Toward the tail or lower part of the body
Caudal
Ex: In humans, caudal refers to the structures closer to the lower back
Bending the foot upward at the ankle
Dorsiflexion
Bending the foot downward at the ankle
Plantarflexion
Moving away from the midline of the body
Abduction
Ex: raising your arm sideways is an abduction motion
Movement toward the midline of the body
Adduction
Ex: lowering your arm to your side is an adduction motion
Decreasing the angle between two body parts
Flexion
Ex: Bending the elbow is flexion
Increasing the angle between two body parts
Extension
Ex: Straightening the elbow is extension
Rotating the forearm so the palm faces downward or backward
Pronation
Rotating the forearm so the palm faces upward or forward
Supination
Moving a body part downward
Depression
Moving a body part upward
Elevation
Moving around a central axis
Rotation
Ex: Rotation occurs when you turn your head from side to side
