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Directional Terms
directional terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Anterior | toward the front *The palms are on the anterior side of the body *The esophagus is anterior to the spinal cord |
Posterior | Toward the back *The occipital bone is on the posterior cranium (skull) The spinal cord is posterior to the esophagus |
Superior | Toward the head *The nose is superior to the mouth *The neck is superior to the chest |
Inferior | Toward the tail *The nose is inferior to the forehead *The umbilicus (belly Button) is inferior to the chest |
Proximal | Closer tot he point of origin (generally the trunk *The knee is proximal to the ankle *The shoulder is proximal to the elbow |
Distal | Farther away from the point of origin (generally the trunk) *The foot is distal to the hip *The wrist is distal to the elbow |
Medial | Closer to the midline of the body or body part; on the inner side of *The ear is medial to the shoulder The index finger is medial to the thumb. |
Lateral | Farther away from the midline of the body or a body part; on the outer side of *The shoulder is lateral to the chest *The thumb is lateral to the index finger |
Superficial | Closer to the surface *The skin is superficial to the muscle *Muscle is superficial to bone |
Deep | Farther below the surface *Bone is deep to the skin *Bone is deep to muscle |