Practical #1 Lab Terms

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Ventral

Toward the front/belly side.

Dorsal

Toward the back side.

Superior

Above; toward the head.

Cranial

Toward the head/skull.

Inferior

Below; away from the head.

Caudal

Toward the tail/lower body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Medial

Toward the midline.

Superficial

Closer to the body surface.

Deep

Farther from the body surface.

Anterior → “A = Ahead”

= front

Posterior → “Posterior = behind”

= back

Superior

= sky/high

Inferior

= underneath

Proximal

= proximity/close

Distal

= distant/far

Medial

= middle

Lateral

= side

Superficial

= surface

Deep

= deeper inside

Axial

Body's central axis: head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular

Limbs and limb attachments.

Cephalic

Head region.

Cervical

Neck region.

Thoracic

Chest region.

Abdominal

Abdomen region.

Pelvic

Pelvis region.

Pubic

Region anterior to the pelvis/genital area.

Inguinal

Groin region.

Axillary

Armpit region.

Sternal

Breastbone/sternum region.

Vertebral

Region along the spinal column.

Lumbar

Lower back region.

Sacral

Region over the sacrum.

Gluteal

Buttock region.

Cranial

Skull/head region.

Frontal

Forehead region.

Occipital

Back of the head.

Mental

Chin region.

Oral

Mouth region.

Nasal

Nose region.

Ocular

Eye region.

Otic

Ear region.

Buccal

Cheek region.

Frontal = forehead → Ocular = eye → Nasal = nose → Buccal = cheek → Oral = mouth → Mental = chin

-

Acromial

Point/top of shoulder.

Brachial

Upper arm region.

Antebrachial

Forearm region.

Antecubital

Front of elbow.

Carpal

Wrist region.

Manual

Hand region.

Metacarpal

Region of the hand bones between wrist and fingers.

Palmar

Palm of the hand.

Pollex

Thumb.

Digital

Fingers or toes.

Acromial → Brachial → Antecubital → Antebrachial → Carpal → Metacarpal → Palmar → Digital

-

Shoulder → arm → elbow → forearm → wrist → hand → palm → fingers

-

Coxal

Hip region.

Femoral

Thigh region.

Patellar

Front of knee.

Popliteal

Back of knee.

Crural

Lower leg/shin region.

Sural

Calf/back of lower leg.

Tarsal

Ankle region.

Metatarsal

Region of the foot bones between ankle and toes.

Calcaneal

Heel region.

Plantar

Sole/bottom of foot.

Pedal

Foot region.

Hallux

Big toe.

Digital

Toes or fingers.

Coxal → Femoral → Patellar → Crural → Tarsal → Metatarsal → Digital

-

Patellar

= front of knee

Popliteal

= back of knee

Sural

= calf

Calcaneal

= heel

Plantar

= sole

Hallux

= big toe

Sagittal plane

Divides body into left and right portions.

Midsagittal plane

Divides body into equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal plane

Divides body into unequal left and right portions.

Frontal plane

Divides body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse plane

Divides body into superior and inferior portions.

Oblique plane

Cuts the body at an angle.

Sagittal

= Side-to-side

Frontal

= Front/back

Transverse

= Top/bottom

Oblique

= Angle

Mid-sagittal

= equal halves

Para-sagittal

= unequal halves

Posterior cavity

Body cavity containing the brain and spinal cord.

Cranial cavity

Cavity containing the brain.

Vertebral cavity

Cavity containing the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Chest cavity containing the heart and lungs.

Abdominal cavity

Cavity containing many digestive organs.

Mediastinum

Central region of thorax containing the heart, trachea, esophagus, and major vessels.

Pleural cavity

Space surrounding each lung.