Directional Terms Flashcards
superior
towards the head or upper part of a structure. eg, the heart is superior to the pancreas
inferior
away from the head or towards the lower part of a structure. eg, the radius is inferior to the humorous
prone
lying horizontal, face down
supine
lying horizontal, on the back, face up
anterior
nearer to or at the front of the body. eg, in the prone position the body lies anterior side down. In the supine position the body lies anterior side up. eg, the sternum is anterior to the heart
posterior
nearer to or at the back of the body. eg, the descending thoracic aorta is posterior to the heart
medial
nearer to the midline of the body or structure. BY midline we mean the vertical line that divides the body equally left and right. eg, the short head biceps is medial to the long head
lateral
further from the midline of the body or structure. eg, the long head of the biceps is lateral to the short head
intermediate
between two structures. eg, the index finger is intermediate to the thumb and middle finger
ipsilateral
on the same side of the body
contralateral
on the opposite side of the body
proximal
nearer to the attachment of an extremity to the trunk or a structure. eg, nearer to the point of origin. eg, the humorous is proximal to the radius
distal
further from the attachment of an extremity to the trunk or structure. eg, further from the point of origin. eg, the phalanges of the hand are distal to the carpals (wrist)
superficial
towards or on the surface of the body. eg, pectoralis major is superficial to the pectoralis minor (inside/deeper muscle)
deep
away from the surface of the body. eg, the rhomboids are deep to the trapezius
