Directional Terms – Anatomy – Flashcards
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Anterior :
Relative to front (belly side) or back (back side) of body.
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In front of; toward the surface
The stomach is anterior to the spinal cord.
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Posterior :
Relative to front (belly side) or back (back side) of body
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In back of; toward the back surface
The heart is posterior to the sternum.
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Dorsal :
Relative to front (belly side) or back (back side) of body
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At the back side of the human body
The spinal cord is on the dorsal side of the body.
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Ventral :
Relative to front (belly side) or back (back side) of body
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At the belly side of the human body
The umbilicus is on the ventral side of the body.
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Superior :
Relative to the head or tail of the body
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Closer to the head
The chest is superior to the pelvis.
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Inferior :
Relative to the head or tail of the body
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Closer to the feet
The stomach is inferior to the heart.
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Caudal :
Relative to the head or tail of the body
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At the rear or tail end
The abdomen is caudal to the head.
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Cranial :
Relative to the head or tail of the body
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At the head end
The head is cranial to the trunk.
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Rostral :
Relative to the head or tail of the body
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Toward the nose
The frontal lope is rostral to the occipital lobe.
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Medial :
Relative to the midline or center of the body
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Toward the midline of the body
The lungs are medial to the shoulders.
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Lateral :
Relative to the midline or center of the body
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Away from the midline of the body
The arms are lateral to the heart.
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Deep :
Relative to the midline or center of the body
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On the inside, underneath another structure
Muscles are deep to the skin.
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Superficial :
Relative to the midline or center of the body
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On the outer side
The external edge of the kidney is superficial to its internal structure.
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Proximal :
Relative to the point of attachment of the appendage
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Closest to the point of attachment to the trunk of the body
The elbow is proximal to the hand.
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Distal :
Relative to the point of attachment of the appendage
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Furthest from the point of attachment to the trunk of the body
The wrist is distal to the elbow.
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Coronal Plane
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Vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back)
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Midsagittal Plane
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Extends through the body or organ vertically and divides the structure into right and left halves
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Sagittal Plane
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Similar to midsagittal plane - divides the Body or organ into right and left portions that may or may not be equal
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Transverse Plane
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Cross sectional plane or horizontal plane that cuts perpendicularly along the long axis of the body or organ. Separates the structure into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.
