Medical Terminology - Position Flashcards
De-
down from, away
EX: decay: to waste away
Ciricum-
around, about
EX: circumferential burn: a burn around an entire area
Peri-
around
EX: pericardium: sac around the heart
Trans-
across, through, beyond
EX: transvaginal: across or through the vagina
Epi-
above, upon, on
EX: epigastric: above or over the stomach
Supra-
above, over
EX: suprasternal notch: top of the sternum
Infra-
below, under
EX: infraclavicular: below the clavicle
Para-
near, beside, beyond, apart from
EX: parasternal: beside the sternum
Contra-
against, opposite
EX: contraindicated: something that is not indicated
Ecto-
out, outside
EX: ectopic pregnancy: when an egg implants outside the uterus
Endo-
within
EX: endoscopy: examining inside someone’s body
Extra-
outside, in addition
EX: extraneous: outside the organism and not belonging to it
Intra-
inside, within
EX: intrauterine: within the uterus
Ipsi-
Same
EX: ipsilateral: on or affecting the same side
Front and back
Anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal)
Right and left
Right (patient’s right) and left (patient’s left)
Top and bottom
Superior (closest to the head) and inferior (closest to the feet)
Closest and farthest
Proximal (closest to the point of attachment) and distal (farthest from the point of attachment)
Middle and side
Medial (closest to the midline) and lateral (farthest from the midline)
In and out
Deep (farthest from the surface of the skin) and superficial (closest to the surface if the skin)
Tip
Apex (plural apices)
Flexion
decreasing angle of the joint
Extension
increasing angle of the joint
Palmar
Front region of the hand, palm
Plantar
Bottom of the foot, sole
Bilateral
both sides of the midline, ex: lungs
Quadrants
way to describe the sections of the abdomen
Prone and supine
Face up and face down
Fowler position
Semi-reclining with head elevated
