Terms of location and position(Directional terms) Flashcards

1
Q

Superior

A

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

E.g The head is superior to the abdomen.

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2
Q

Inferior

A

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

E.g The navel is inferior to the chin.

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3
Q

Anterior (ventral)

A

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

E.g The breastbone is anterior to the spine.

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4
Q

Posterior (dorsal)

A

Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

E.g The esophagus is posterior to the trachea (windpipe).

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5
Q

Medial

A

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

E.g -The heart is medial to the arm.
-The ulna is medial to the radius.

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6
Q

Lateral

A

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

E.g -The lungs are lateral to the heart.
-The arms are lateral to the chest.

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7
Q

Intermediate

A

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

E.g The collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and shoulder.

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8
Q

Ipsilateral

A

On the same side of the body as another structure.

E.g The gallbladder and ascending colon are ipsilateral.

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9
Q

Contralateral

A

On the opposite side of the body from another structure.

E.g The ascending and descending colons are contralateral.

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10
Q

Proximal

A

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

E.g -The elbow is proximal to the
wrist.
-The humerus is proximal to the radius.

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11
Q

Distal

A

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

E.g -The knee is distal to the thigh.
-The phalanges are distal to the carpals.

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12
Q

Superficial(External)

A

Toward or on the surface of the body.

E.g -The ribs are superficial to the lungs.
-The skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles.

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13
Q

Deep (internal)

A

Away from the body surface; more internal.

E.g -The lungs are deep to the skin.
-The ribs are deep to the skin of the chest and back.

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14
Q

Central

A

The main part.

E.g The brain is part of the central nervous system.

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15
Q

Peripheral

A

Extending from the main part.

E.g Nerves in the arm are part of the peripheral nervous system.

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16
Q

Parietal

A

Pertaining to the wall of a cavity.

E.g The parietal pleura lines the chest cavity.

17
Q

Visceral

A

Pertaining to the organs within a cavity.

E.g The visceral pleura covers the lungs.