Medical Terminology - Position

Question 1

De-

Answer 1

down from, away

EX: decay: to waste away

Question 2

Ciricum-

Answer 2

around, about

EX: circumferential burn: a burn around an entire area

Question 3

Peri-

Answer 3

around

EX: pericardium: sac around the heart

Question 4

Trans-

Answer 4

across, through, beyond

EX: transvaginal: across or through the vagina

Question 5

Epi-

Answer 5

above, upon, on

EX: epigastric: above or over the stomach

Question 6

Supra-

Answer 6

above, over

EX: suprasternal notch: top of the sternum

Question 7

Infra-

Answer 7

below, under

EX: infraclavicular: below the clavicle

Question 8

Para-

Answer 8

near, beside, beyond, apart from

EX: parasternal: beside the sternum

Question 9

Contra-

Answer 9

against, opposite

EX: contraindicated: something that is not indicated

Question 10

Ecto-

Answer 10

out, outside

EX: ectopic pregnancy: when an egg implants outside the uterus

Question 11

Endo-

Answer 11

within

EX: endoscopy: examining inside someone’s body

Question 12

Extra-

Answer 12

outside, in addition

EX: extraneous: outside the organism and not belonging to it

Question 13

Intra-

Answer 13

inside, within

EX: intrauterine: within the uterus

Question 14

Ipsi-

Answer 14

Same

EX: ipsilateral: on or affecting the same side

Question 15

Front and back

Answer 15

Anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal)

Question 16

Right and left

Answer 16

Right (patient’s right) and left (patient’s left)

Question 17

Top and bottom

Answer 17

Superior (closest to the head) and inferior (closest to the feet)

Question 18

Closest and farthest

Answer 18

Proximal (closest to the point of attachment) and distal (farthest from the point of attachment)

Question 19

Middle and side

Answer 19

Medial (closest to the midline) and lateral (farthest from the midline)

Question 20

In and out

Answer 20

Deep (farthest from the surface of the skin) and superficial (closest to the surface if the skin)

Question 21

Tip

Answer 21

Apex (plural apices)

Question 22

Flexion

Answer 22

decreasing angle of the joint

Question 23

Extension

Answer 23

increasing angle of the joint

Question 24

Palmar

Answer 24

Front region of the hand, palm

Question 25

Plantar

Answer 25

Bottom of the foot, sole

Question 26

Bilateral

Answer 26

both sides of the midline, ex: lungs

Question 27

Quadrants

Answer 27

way to describe the sections of the abdomen

Question 28

Prone and supine

Answer 28

Face up and face down

Question 29

Fowler position

Answer 29

Semi-reclining with head elevated