Positional and Directional Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Anterior (Ventral)
A
- front of the body
- eg: the face is on the anterior side of the body
2
Q
Posterior (Dorsal)
A
- the back side of the body
- ex: the back of the head is on the posterior side of the body, it is posterior to the face
3
Q
Superior (Cephalic)
A
- above another structure
- ex: the head is superior to the body, the knees are superior to the feet
4
Q
Inferior (Caudal)
A
- below another structure
- ex: the body is inferior to the head; the feet are interior to the knees
5
Q
Proximal
A
- near the point of attachment to the trunk or near the beginning of a structure
- ex: the ankle is proximal to the foot
6
Q
Distal
A
- far from the point of attachment to the trunk or far from the beginning of a structure
- ex: the foot is distal to the ankle
7
Q
Medial
A
- pertaining to the middle or nearer the midline
- ex: the fifth finger is medial to the other fingers
8
Q
Lateral
A
- pertaining to the side; away from the midline
- ex: the thumb is lateral to the other fingers
9
Q
Superficial
A
- on or near the surface
- ex: a scrape from a fall is a superficial wound; superficial veins can be seen through the skin
10
Q
Deep
A
- away from the surface
- ex: the stomach lies deep within the abdominal cavity
11
Q
Supine (Recumbent)
A
- lying on the back, the face is up; the hands with palms facing forward
- ex: a person lies in the supine position when the chest and abdomen are being examined
12
Q
Prone
A
- lying on the abdomen with the head turned slightly to the side; the hands with palms turned downward
- ex: a person lies in the prone position when the back and spine are being examined
13
Q
Decubitus
A
- lying down, in any position (on the back, on the front, on the side)
14
Q
Palmar
A
- pertaining to the palm of the hand
15
Q
Plantar
A
- pertaining to the sole of the foot
