Terms of location and position(Directional terms) Flashcards
Superior
Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.
E.g The head is superior to the abdomen.
Inferior
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.
Anterior (ventral)
Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.
E.g The breastbone is anterior to the spine.
Posterior (dorsal)
Toward or at the back of the body; behind.
E.g The esophagus is posterior to the trachea (windpipe).
Medial
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.
Lateral
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.
Intermediate
Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.
E.g The collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and shoulder.
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body as another structure.
E.g The gallbladder and ascending colon are ipsilateral.
Contralateral
On the opposite side of the body from another structure.
E.g The ascending and descending colons are contralateral.
Proximal
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.
Distal
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.
Superficial(External)
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.
Deep (internal)
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.
Central
The main part.
E.g The brain is part of the central nervous system.
Peripheral
Extending from the main part.
E.g Nerves in the arm are part of the peripheral nervous system.