Positional/Directional Terms Flashcards
anterior
front
bilateral
pertaining to both sides
caudal
tail (coccygeal area)
cephalic
head
dextro
right
distal
farther away from
dorsal recumbent position
lying on back with knees up and feet flat on table palms facing up
eversion
turning outward or inside out
extension
bringing a limb to a straight position
external
outside
flexion
bending a limb or body part at the joint
Fowler’s position
raising the head of the bed up to 90 degrees
inferior
below or directed downward
internal
inside
knee-chest, knee-elbow
drawing knees to the chest, lying on elbows and knees
lateral
side, away from middle
lithotomy position
on the back, with feet raised and knees at 90 degrees
medial
midline
oblique
slanting, on an incline
peripheral
outside the central area
posterior
back
prone position
lying on abdomen palms facing up
proximal
toward the center or point of attachment
quadrant
dividing an area horizontally/vertically into four parts
recumbent
lying down
rotation
turning around an axis
Sims’ position
lateral with one knee and thigh up
sinistro
left
superior
above or directed upward
supine
lying on the back
Trendelenburg position
lying with head lower than legs
