VET150 Veterinary Anatomy Directional Terms

DIRECTIONAL TERMS

Cranial

Pertaining to the cranium or head end of the body or denoting a position more toward the head of the body.

Example: the head is cranial to the tail

Adjacent

Next to, adjoining, or close to.

Example: the tongue is adjacent to the teeth

Caudal

Pertaining to the tail end of the body or denoting a position more toward the tail or rear.

Example: the tail is caudal to the head

Rostral

Pertaining to the nose end of the head or toward the nose.

Example: the nose is rostral to the eyes

Dorsal

Pertaining to the back area or denoting a position more toward the back.

Example: the backbone is dorsal to the belly

Ventral

Pertaining to the belly or underside.

Example: the kidneys are ventral to the backbone

Lateral

Denoting a position father away from the median plane, on the side, or toward the side.

Example: the lateral surface of the leg is the outside surface

Medial

Denoting a position closer to the median plane, toward the middle.

Example: the medial surface of the leg is the inside surface

Oblique

At an angle, or pertaining to an angle.

Example: the vein crossed obliquely from the upper left side down to the lower right side

Superficial

Near the surface, not deep.

Example: the skin is superficial to the underlying muscle

Deep

Far beneath the surface.

Example: the bones are deep to the skin

Peripheral

Situated near the outer areas or surface of the body.

Example: the subcutaneous fat is peripheral to the muscles

Proximal

Nearest to the center of the body relating to another body part.

Example: the femur is more proximal to the tibia

Distal

Farthest from the center of the body relating to another body part.

Example: the tibia is distal to the femur

Superior

Above or directed above.

Example: the nasal cavity is superior to the mouth

Inferior

Below or underneath

Example: the mouth is inferior to the nasal cavity

POSITIONAL TERMS

Caudal

Pertaining to the back side of the leg above the carpus and tarsus

Cranial

Can also be a positional term that means the front side of the leg above the carpus and tarsus

Dorsal

Can also be a positional term that applies to the side of the leg opposite the palmar and plantar sides

Palmar

The bottom surface of the front foot

Plantar

The bottom surface of the hind foot

Prone

To lie face down, in ventral recumbency

Recumbent

Lying down.

Dorsal Recumbency

The animal is lying on its back face up

Ventral Recumbency

The animal is lying on its belly

Lateral Recumbency

The animal is on its side

Supine

To lie face up, in dorsal recumbency

ANATOMICAL TERMS

Abdominal

Pertaining to the abdomen

Antebrachium

The distal area of the front legs. Below the elbow joint

Appendicular

Related to the limbs and their attachments to the axis of the body

Axial

Related to the head, neck, trunk or torso

Axillary

Pertaining to the armpit area, or the medial aspect of where the front leg meets the torso

Brachial

Pertaining to the proximal area of the front legs of an animal. Above the elbow joint

Cervical

Pertaining to the neck area, the cervical vertebrae, and to the cervix in the female's reproductive system

Coccygeal

Pertaining to the tail or vertebra of the tail

Cranium

The part of the skull that incases the brain

Crural

Pertaining to the rear legs of an animal

Digital

The area of the foot where the animal's toes are located

Frontal

The forehead, or the area of the head above the eyes where the fontal bone and frontal sinuses are located

Inguinal

The groin, or the medical aspect of the rear leg where it is attached to the torso of the body

Lumbar

The lumbar vertebrae, or the region around the lumbar vertebrae

Mammary

The mammary glands (the milk producing glands)

Orbital

The bony eye socket (the orbit)

Patellar

The patella or knee cap

Pelvic

The pelvis or hip bones

Perineal

The region between or surrounding the anus and the external genitalia

Peritoneal

The cavity inside the abdomen and the membrane that lines the cavity.

Peritoneal Cavity

The space inside the abdomen between the organs and the body wall

Pleural

The cavity inside the chest and the membranes that lines the cavity.

Pleural Cavity

The space inside the chest between the lungs and heart and inside the chest wall

Popliteal

The caudal area or back of the knee or stifle joint

Pubic

The bone located between the animal's rear legs. This is part of the pelvis

Sacral

The sacrum, the fused vertebrae by which the pelvis is attached to the backbone

Scapular

The scapula or the shoulder blade area

Sternal

The region of the sternum or breastbone

Stifle

The knee, the femorotibial joint

Thoracic

The thorax or chest, or the regions around them

Umbilical

The umbilicus or naval (belly button)

Vertebral

The vertebrae or spinal cord

ANATOMICAL TERMS - MOUTH&TEETH

Buccal

Surface of the tooth that is next to the cheek

Contact

Surface of the tooth that is adjacent to the next tooth

Labial

Surface of the incisor teeth that is next to the lips

Palatal

Surface of the upper teeth that is next to the hard palate

Lingual

Surface of the lower teeth that is next to the tongue

Mesial

Surfaces of the incisor teeth that are toward the middle or median plane or the mouth and the rostral surface of the canine, premolar, and molar teeth

Occlusal

Surface of the tooth that makes contact with the opposing tooth. It is a chewing or biting surface.

TERMS OF MOVEMENT

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from the median line or middle of the body

Adduction

Movement of a limb toward the median line or middle of the body

Eversion

Turning outward or inside out

Extension

Straightening or the act of straightening

Flexion

Bending or the act of bending

Pronation

The act of turning the body, arm, or leg so the ventral aspect or palm is down

Rotation

Turning about an axis

Supination

The act of turning the body, arm, or leg so the ventral aspect of the palm is down