Ch 3 Directional Terms Flashcards
fowler position
semi-sitting position with slight elevation of the knees
lateral recumbent position
lying on side; right and left precede the term to indicate the patient’s side
lithotomy position
lying on back with legs raised and feet in stirrups, hips and knees flexed, thighs abducted (away from body) and externally rotated
orthopnea position
sitting upright in a chair or in bed supported by pillows behind the back. sometimes the patient tilts forward resting on a pillow supported by an overbed table (also called orthopneic position)
prone position aka
ventral recumbent position
sims position
lying on side in a semi-prone position with the knee drawn up toward the chest and the arm drawn behind parallel to the back. right and left precede the term indicate the pt’s right or left side.
if right or left does not specified; assume pt is placed lying on the L side with R knee drawn up and with L arm drawn behind, parallel to the back
supine position aka
dorsal recumbent position
trendelburg position
lying on back with body tilted so that the head is lower than the feet
anatomical planes
used to identify or view the location of organs and anatomical structures
body position terms
used to communicate how the pt’s body is placed for exams, diagnostic procedures, surgery etc.
caud/o
tail/downward
cephal/o
head/upward
anter/o vs ventr/o
front vs belly/front
poster/o vs dors/o
back, behind vs back
-ad
toward
