Directional Terms

Abduction

Movement away from the midsagittal (median) plane of the body or one of its parts
Adduction

Movement toward the midsagittal (median) plane of the body
Medial

Pertaining to the midline of the body or structure
Lateral

Pertaining to a side
Superior (cephalad)

Toward the head of upper portion of a structure
Inferior (caudal)

Away fromt he head or toward the tail or lower part of a structure
Proximal

Nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body
Distal

Further from the center (trunk of the body) or from the point of attachment to the body
Anterior (ventral)

Front of the body
Posterior (dorsal)

Back of the body
Parietal

Pertaining to the outer wall of the body cavity
Visceral

Pertaining to the viscera, or internal organs, especially the abdominal organs
Prone

Lying on the abdomen, face down
Supine

Lying horizontally on the back, face up
Inversion

Turning inward or inside out
Eversion

Turning outward
Palmar

Pertaining to the palm of the hand
Plantar

Pertaining to the sole of the foot
Superficial

Toward the surface of the body (external)
Deep

Away from the surface of the body (internal)

Author

teloff

33726

Card Set

Directional Terms

Description

Body Structure/ Directional Terms

Updated

2010-09-09T23:03:22Z

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