Module 1.1 Anatomical Terminology Flashcards

A complete vocabulary review set for Module 1.1 covering anatomical positions, directional terms, body planes, cavities, regions, prefixes, and movements.

Anatomical Position

The standard frame of reference where the body is standing upright, feet shoulder-width apart, upper limbs at the sides of the trunk, and head and palms facing forward.

Directional Terminology

Language used by healthcare professionals to describe exactly where one body part lies in relation to another.

Midline

An imaginary line drawn down the centre of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of a body part.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body or a body part; on the inner side of.

Superior

Above another part of the body; toward the upper portion.

Inferior

Below or lower than another part of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the main trunk of the body or point of origin.

Distal

Farther away from the point of origin, generally the trunk.

Superficial

Nearer to or closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Farther below the surface of the body.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward or facing the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward or facing the back of the body.

Supine

Body position facing upwards.

Prone

Body position facing downwards.

Infra-

Prefix meaning below or lower.

Extra-

Prefix meaning outside.

Supra-

Prefix meaning above or upper.

Endo-

Prefix meaning inside.

Peri-

Prefix meaning around or surrounding.

Axial Region

Body region that includes the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Region

Body region that includes the upper and lower limbs or appendages.

Cephalic Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the head (cephalon).

Cervical Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the neck (cervicis).

Thoracic Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the thorax or chest (thoracis).

Brachial Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the arm (brachium).

Antebrachial Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the forearm (antebrachium).

Carpal Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the wrist (carpus).

Manual Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the hand (manus).

Crural Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the anterior leg (crus).

Sural Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the calf (sura).

Tarsal Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the ankle (tarsus).

Pedal Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the foot (pes).

Plantar Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the sole of the foot.

Lumbar Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the loin (lumbus).

Gluteal Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the buttock (gluteus).

Inguinal Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the groin (inguen).

Femoral Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the thigh or groin (femur).

Coxal Region

Anatomical region corresponding to the hip (coxa).

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body or an organ into right and left sides.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

A vertical plane running directly down the middle of the body, dividing it into equal right and left parts.

Parasagittal Plane

A vertical plane dividing the body into unequal right and left sides.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body or an organ into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A vertical plane dividing the body or an organ into anterior (front) and posterior (rear) portions.

Body Cavity

A fluid-filled space within the body that supports and protects internal organs.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Compartment located on the posterior side of the body, subdivided into the cranial and vertebral cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Dorsal body cavity space inside the bony skull that houses the brain.

Vertebral Cavity

Dorsal body cavity space running through the vertebral column that encloses the spinal cord.

Ventral Body Cavity

Anterior cavity separated by the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity.

Thoracic Cavity

Division of the ventral cavity superior to the diaphragm, containing two pleural cavities and the mediastinum.

Mediastinum

Central region of the thoracic cavity between the pleural cavities containing the heart, major blood vessels, trachea, and oesophagus.

Pericardial Cavity

Protective membrane-enclosed cavity within the mediastinum housing the heart.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Division of the ventral cavity inferior to the diaphragm, divided into the abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity.

Flexion

Movement taking place in the sagittal plane that decreases the angle between two body parts.

Extension

Movement taking place in the sagittal plane that increases the angle between two body parts.

Medial Rotation

Rotational movement of a limb around its long axis towards the midline.

Lateral Rotation

Rotational movement of a limb around its long axis away from the midline.

Supination

Movement around the forearm axis turning the palm upward or forward, involving external rotation of the radius over the ulna.

Pronation

Movement around the forearm axis turning the palm downward or backward, where the radius crosses over the ulna.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline reference point.

Adduction

Movement towards the midline reference point.