Orientation, anatomic terms of

Orientation, anatomic terms of
In anatomy, certain terms are used to denote orientation. For example, a structure may be horizontal, as opposed to vertical. Some of the terms of anatomic orientation are as follows: {{}}Anterior: The front, as opposed to the posterior. Anteroposterior: From front to back, as opposed to posteroanterior. Caudad: Toward the feet (or tail in embryology), as opposed to cranial. Cranial: Toward the head, as opposed to caudad. Deep: Away from the exterior surface or further into the body, as opposed to superficial. Distal: Further from the beginning, as opposed to proximal. Dorsal: The back, as opposed to ventral. Horizontal: Parallel to the floor, a plane passing through the standing body parallel to the floor. Inferior: Below, as opposed to superior. Lateral: Toward the left or right side of the body, as opposed to medial. Medial: In the middle or inside, as opposed to lateral. Posterior: The back or behind, as opposed to the anterior. Posteroanterior: From back to front, as opposed to anteroposterior. Pronation: Rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm is down (and the corresponding movement of the foot and leg with the sole down), as opposed to supination. Prone: With the front or ventral surface downward (lying face down), as opposed to supine. Proximal: Toward the beginning, as opposed to distal. Sagittal: A vertical plane passing through the standing body from front to back. The mid-sagittal, or median plane, splits the body into left and right halves. Superficial: On the surface or shallow, as opposed to deep. Superior: Above, as opposed to inferior. Supination: Rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm is upward (and the corresponding movement of the foot and leg), as opposed to pronation. Supine: With the back or dorsal surface downward (lying face up), as opposed to prone. Transverse: A horizontal plane passing through the standing body parallel to the ground. Ventral: Pertaining to the abdomen, as opposed to dorsal. Vertical: Upright, as opposed to horizontal.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Anatomic orientation terms — In anatomy, certain terms are used to denote orientation. For example, a structure may be horizontal, as opposed to vertical. Some of the terms of anatomic orientation are as follows: {{}}Anterior: The front, as opposed to the posterior.… …   Medical dictionary

  • Anterior (anatomic orientation) — The front, as opposed to the posterior. The anterior surface of the heart is toward the breast bone (sternum). For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry Anatomic Orientation Terms …   Medical dictionary

  • Anteroposterior (anatomic orientation) — From front to back, as opposed to posteroanterior. When a chest x ray is taken with the back against the film plate and the x ray machine in front of the patient it is referred to as an anteroposterior (AP) view. For a more complete listing of… …   Medical dictionary

  • Caudad (anatomic orientation) — Toward the feet (or tail in embryology), as opposed to cranial. The spinal cord is caudad to the brain. For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry Anatomic Orientation Terms …   Medical dictionary

  • Cranial (anatomic orientation) — Toward the head, as opposed to caudad. The eye is cranial to the jaw. For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry Anatomic Orientation Terms …   Medical dictionary

  • Deep (anatomic orientation) — Away from the exterior surface or further into the body, as opposed to superficial. The bones are deep to the skin. For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry Anatomic Orientation Terms …   Medical dictionary

  • Dorsal (anatomic orientation) — The back, as opposed to ventral. Some of the dorsal surfaces of the body are the back, buttocks, calves, and the knuckle side of the hand (palm is ventral). For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see …   Medical dictionary

  • Horizontal (anatomic orientation) — Parallel to the floor, a plane passing through the standing body parallel to the floor. A person lying on a bed is considered in a horizontal position. For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Inferior (anatomic orientation) — Below or toward the feet, as opposed to superior. The liver is inferior to the lungs. For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry Anatomic Orientation Terms …   Medical dictionary

  • Lateral (anatomic orientation) — Toward the left or right side of the body, as opposed to medial. The eyes are lateral to the nose. For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry Anatomic Orientation Terms …   Medical dictionary

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