Define DORSAL
Dorsal means something is nearer the back of the animal than…
e.g. the backbone is dorsal to the stomach (think dorsal stripe/fin).
Define VENTRAL
Ventral means something is nearer the underside of the animal than…
e.g. the breastbone is ventral to the heart
Define CRANIAL (ANTERIOR)
Cranial means something is nearer to the skull of the animal than…
e.g. the diaphragm is cranial to the stomach
Define CAUDAL (POSTERIOR)
Caudal means something is nearer to the tail of the animal than…
e.g. the ribs are caudal to the neck
Define PROXIMAL
Proximal means something is closer to the body of the animal than…
e.g. the shoulder is proximal to the elbow
This is a term used for limb structures.
Define DISTAL
Distal means something is further from the body of the animal than…
e.g. the ankle is distal to the knee.
This is a term used for limb structures
Define MEDIAL
Medial means something is nearer to the midline of the animal than…
e.g. the bladder is medial to the hips
Define LATERAL
Lateral means something is further from the midline of the animal than…
e.g. the ribs are lateral to the lungs
Define ROSTAL
Rostal means something is towards the muzzle of the animal
e.g. there are more grey hairs on the rostal part of the head
Define EXTENSION
Extension is to increase the angle formed by a hinge joint.
Define FLEXION
Flexion is to decrease the angle formed by a hinge joint.
Define ABDUCTION
Abduction is to move the limb away from the midline.
Define ADDUCTION
Adduction is to move the limb towards the midline.
What is the opposite of dorsal?
The opposite of dorsal is ventral.
What is the opposite of cranial?
The opposite of cranial is caudal.
What is the opposite of proximal?
The opposite of proximal is distal.
What is the opposite of medial?
The opposite of medial is lateral.
Define PALMAR
Palmar means something is towards the back of the forelimb
Define PLANTAR
Planter means something is towards the back of the hind limb
