Exam 1: Directional Terms and Anatomic Positions

Anterior (ventral)

Common term: front

Definition: the front surface of the body

Posterior (dorsal)

Common term: back

Definition: the back surface of the body

Right

patient’s right

left

patient’s left

Superior

Common term: top

Definition: closest to head

Inferior

Common term: bottom

Definition: closest to feet

proximal

Common term: closest

Definition: closest to the point of attachement

distal

Common term: farthest

Definition: farthest from the point of attachment

medial

Common term: middle

Definition: closest to the midline

lateral

Common term: side

Definition: farthest from the midline

deep

Common term: in

Definition: farthest from surface of the skin

superficial

Common term: out

Definition: closest to surface of the skin

Palmar

palm of hand

plantar

sole of foot

apex

tip of a structure

flexion

decreasing angle of joint, bending spine forward

extension

increasing angle of joint, arching spine backward

adduction

motion toward midline

abduction

motion away from midline

bilateral

both sides of midline

unilateral

one side of midline

prone

lying facedown

supine

lying face up

fowler

Head elevated to help breathe easier and control the airway

sitting upright

recovery position

one arm up, one arm crossed, legs crossed, on side