Lesson 2 Flashcards — Directional Terms, Positions, & Imaging

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering directional terms, body positions, and imaging techniques.

What is the anatomic position?

The standard reference position for the body—standing erect, arms at sides, palms facing forward, feet side by side.

What do anter/o and ventr/o mean?

Front, belly.

What do poster/o and dors/o mean?

Back, behind.

What does caud/o mean?

Tail, downward.

What does cephal/o mean?

Head, upward.

What does super/o mean?

Above.

What does infer/o mean?

Below.

What does medi/o mean?

Middle.

What does later/o mean?

Side.

What does proxim/o mean?

Near (the point of attachment).

What does dist/o mean?

Away (from the point of attachment).

What does the suffix -ad mean?

Toward.

What do the suffixes -al, -ic, -ior mean?

Pertaining to.

What is the frontal (coronal) plane?

Vertical field passing through the body from side to side, dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions.

What is the sagittal plane?

Vertical field running through the body from front to back, dividing the body into unequal right and left sides.

What is the midsagittal (median) plane?

Midsagittal plane (median plane) is equal right and left sides.

What is the transverse plane?

Horizontal field dividing the body into superior and inferior portions.

What is the umbilical region?

Around the navel.

What is the epigastric region?

Superior to the umbilical region.

What is the hypogastric region?

Inferior to the umbilical region.

What are the hypochondriac regions?

To the right and left of the epigastric region.

What are the lumbar regions?

To the right and left of the umbilical region.

What are the iliac (inguinal) regions?

To the right and left of the hypogastric region

What is the supine position?

Lying on the back, facing upward.

What is the prone position?

Lying on the abdomen, facing downward (head may be turned to one side)

What is the Fowler position?

Semi-sitting position with slight elevation of the knees.

What is the Trendelenburg position?

Lying on the back with the head lower than the feet.

What is radiography (X-ray)?

produces an image of internal structures using ionizing radiation; the resulting images are called radiographs. Radiography, the procedure, and radiograph, the resulting image, are both also called x-ray.

What is computed tomography (CT)?

produces a series of sectional images of internal structures using ionizing radiation; computer software assembles data into images called scans.

What is magnetic resonance (MR)?

Produces images of internal structures using high strength magnetic fields; computer software assembles data into images called scans.

What is nuclear medicine (NM)?

produces images of internal structures using gamma rays emitted from radioactive material introduced to the bloodstream; computer software assembles data into images called scans.

What is sonography (ultrasound/US)?

produces images of internal structures using high frequency sound waves; computer software assembles data into images called scans; Ultrasound/US.