Basic Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
(24 cards)
Anatomical position
The subject stands erect facing the observer, with the head level and the eyes facing directly forward. The lower limbs are parallel and feet are flat on the floor and directed forward
Prone
Lying facedown
Supine
Lying faceup
Regional names
Head
Neck
Trunk
Upper limb
Lower limb
Sagittal plane
A longitudinal plane that divides the body or an organ into left and right sides
Median plane
A longitudinal plane that passes through the midline of the body or an organ and divides it into equal left and right sides
Also called a midsagittal plane
Midline
An imaginary longitudinal line that divides the body into equal left and right sides
Paramedian plane
A sagittal plane that divides the body or an organ into unequal left and right sides
Coronal plane
A longitudinal plane that divides the body or an organ into anterior or posterior portions
Transverse plane
A horizontal plane that divides the body or an organ into superior and inferior portions
Oblique plane
A plane that passes through the body or an organ at any angle other than 90 degrees
Medial
Nearer to the midline
Lateral
Farther from the midline
Superior
Toward the head, or upper part of a structure
Not used in reference to relative positions within the limbs
Inferior
Away from the head, or the lower part of a structure
Not used in reference to relative positions within the limbs
Anterior
Nearer to or at the front of the body
Posterior
Nearer to or at the back of the body
Intermediate
Between two structures
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body as another structure
Contralateral
On the opposite side of the body from another structure
Proximal
Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk. Nearer to the origination of a structure
Distal
Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk. Farther from the origination of a structure
Superficial
Toward the surface of the body
Deep
Away from the surface of the body
