Module 3: Directional Terms, Planes, Positions, Regions and Quadrants

anatomic position

standard, neutral frontal position of reference, body is standing, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward, feet next to each other

posterior

pertaining to back

poster/o

back

anterior

fronta

anter/o

front

ventr/o

belly or front, interchangeable with anterior

-al

means pertaining to

-erior

position

superior

position that is above

celpalic

pertaining to headce

cephal/o

head

caudal

pertaining to downward directionc

caud/o

lower part of the body

lateral

pertaining to the side

later/o

sides

unilateral

one side

bilateral

pertaining to 2 sides

proximal

pertaining to near the point of attachment, must use point of reference

distal

pertaining to away from point of attachment

dist/o

away

proximal and distal example

Ex. Shoulder, above elbow – proximal, anything below elbow – more distal, fingers are distal to shoulder, very far away – fingertips proximal to shoulder

supine

lie horizontally on back (soup stays up so you don’t spill)

prone

like face downward looking to the ground

frontal/coronal plane

vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior

sagittal plane

divides into left and right portions

midsagittal plane

any plane that divides the body into unequal right and left sides

parasagittal plane

any plane that divides the body into unequal right and left sides

transverse plane

any plane where it passes horizontally through the body dividing it into superior and inferior

abdominopelvic cavity

divided tic-tac-toe of nine sections - help determine the placement of internal organs, imaginary lines - 3 upper, 3 lower, and 3 middle

hypochondriac region

upper right and left sections

epigastic region

area directly superior to umbilical region, separates these regions, generally found overlying the stomach

lumbar regions

middle right and left sections near the waist

umbilical region

umbilicus located, separates lumbar

iliac aka inguinal region

lower right and left sections near the groin

hypogastric region

inferior to the umbilical region

right upper quadrant (RUQ)

right lobe of liver, gallbladder, medial portion of pancreas and portions of small and large intestine

left upper quadrant (LUQ)

left lobe of liver, stomach, spleen, lateral portion of pancreas and portions of large and small intestines

right lower quadrant (RLQ)

parts of large and small intestines, appendix and ureter

right lower quadrant (RLQ)

parts of small and large intestines, appendix and right ureter

left lower quadrant (LLQ)

parts of intestinal tract and left ureter

lithotomy

lying on back with legs raised and feet in stirrups, hips flexed, thighs abducted and externally rotated,

fowler position

semi-sitting position with slight elevation of the knees

recumbent position

any position with lying down

sims position

lying left side with right knee drawn up and left arm drawn behind, parallel to back

orthopnea position

siting erect on chair or supported pillows in bed