Question | Answer |
Superior / Cephalic | Toward the head; toward the upper part of a structure |
Inferior / Caudal | Away from the head; toward the lower part of the body |
Anterior / Ventral / Frontal | Nearer to or at the front of the body |
Posterior / Dorsal | Nearer to or at the back of the body; of the top of the foot |
Medial | Nearer to the midline of the body |
Lateral | Farther from the midline of the body |
Proximal | Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk |
Distal | Away from the attachment of a limb to the trunk |
External / Superficial | Toward the surface of the body |
Internal / Deep | Away from the surface of the body |
Palmar | Palm of the hand |
Plantar | Sole of the foot |
Dorsum | Top of the foot |
Unilateral | One side of the body |
Bilateral | Both sides of the body |
Ipsilateral | Same side of the body |
Contralateral | Opposite side of the body |
Sagittal plane | Divides body into left and right sections |
Mid sagittal or Median sagittal plane | Right and left sides are equal |
Coronal or Frontal plane | Divides body into front and back sections |
Horizontal or Transverse plane | Divides body into top and bottom sections |
Abduction | Movement away from the axis of the trunk |
Adduction | Movement toward the axis of the trunk |
Circumduction | Circular movement of joint |
Flexion | Bringing bones together; bending |
Extension | Moving bones apart; straightening |
Eversion | Turning the sole of the foot outward |
Inversion | Turning the sole of the foot inward |
Dorsiflexion | Bringing the top of the foot toward the anterior surface of the tibia |
Plantar flexion | Moving the sole of the foot downward toward the floor |
Supine | Lying on back, face up |
Prone | Lying face down |
Recumbent position | Lying down ventral, dorsal, lateral |
Erect position | Upright; standing or sitting |
Lateral postion | Patient’s side against the surface |
Oblique position | Part is angled to the surface; RPO, LPO, RAO, LAO |
Fowler’s position | Patient in bed with the head of the bed elevated 45o – 60o |
Trendelenburg position | Recumbent with the feet higher than the head |
Sim’s position | Semi-prone on left side with right leg bent and drawn forward |
Cranial cavity | Brain and pituitary gland |
Spinal cavity | Nerve tissue of the spinal cord |
Thoracic cavity | Upper cavity houses pericardial cavity, pleural cavity and mediastinum |
Abdominal cavity | Lower cavity houses digestive organs , peritoneum & retroperitoneal space |
Pelvic cavity | Portions of intestines, reproductive organs, ureters, bladder, urethra |
Cervical spine | Bones of the neck C1- C7 |
Thoracic spine | Bones of the upper back T1-T12 |
Lumbar spine | Bones of the lower back L1-L5 |
Sacrum and Coccyx | Distal portion of the spine; the sacrum is 5 fused vertebrae and the coccyx is 3 |
Skeletal System | Protection, Support, Movement, Hematopoiesis, Mineral Homeostasis, Energy Storage |
Muscular System | Posture, Movement,Generate heat |
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Cardiovascular System | Pump blood throughout the body |
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Lymphatic &Immune Systems | Protect the body from harmful substances. Transport system for capillary seepage. |
Respiratory System | Bring oxygen into the body and carry carbon dioxide waste out |
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Digestive System | Digestion, Absorption, |
Elimination | |
Urinary System | Filtration, Excretion, Reabsorption |
Fluid and electrolyte balance | |
Nervous System | Transmits messages through the body. Coordinates the reception of stimuli |
Integumentary System | Protection, Thermoregulation, Cutaneous Sensation, Secretion, Synthesis |
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Endocrine System | Glands that secrete hormones that integrate and control the body's metabolic activity |
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Reproductive System | Production of germ cells |
needed for procreation | |