Body Structure and Medical Terminology

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to body structure, anatomical positioning, directional terms, and medical imaging techniques, helping students prepare for their exam.

Anatomical Position

Upright posture, facing straight ahead, feet parallel and close with palms facing forward.

Directional Terms

Terms used to locate the position of structures, surfaces, and regions of the body.

Sagittal Plane

Bisects the body from front to back, dividing it into right and left symmetrical halves.

Frontal Plane

Bisects the body laterally, dividing it into anterior (front) and posterior (back) halves.

Transverse Plane

Divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) halves.

Proximal

Near the point of attachment to the trunk or a structure.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk or a structure.

Superficial

Near the surface.

Deep

Beneath or below the surface.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body.

Inferior

Below or lower; toward the tail.

Superior

Above or higher; toward the head.

Anterior

Front of the body; toward the front.

Posterior

Back of the body; toward the back.

Ventral

Relating to the belly or abdomen, on or toward the front.

Dorsal

Relating to the back.

Cephalic

Above in relation to another structure.

Caudal

Below in relation to another structure.

Endoscopy

Visual examination of an organ or cavity with an endoscope.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Procedure using electromagnetic energy to produce multiplanar cross-sectional images of the body.