Cross Sectional

Terminology

anatomic position

zero position for all location terms

anatomic position

stand upright, face forward, toes forward, arms at side, palms facing forward

superior

above; at higher level

inferior

below; at a lower level

anterior

toward the front surface of the body

ventral

another term for anterior

posterior

toward the back surface of the body

dorsal

another term for posterior

medial

toward the midsagittal plane

lateral

away from the midsagittal plane

proximal

toward a reference point or source within the body

distal

away from a reference point or source within the body

superficial

near the body surface

deep

farther into the body and away from the body

cranial

toward the head 

cephalic 

another word for cranial direction

caudal

toward the feet

rostral

toward the nose

ipsilateral

on the same side

contralateral

on the opposite side

thenar

the fleshy part of the palm at the base of the thumb

volar

pertaining to the palm of the hand or flexor surface on the wrist or the sole of the foot

palmar

the front or palm of the hand

plantar

the sole of the foot

C1

approximate level of mastoid tip

C2-C3

approximate level of gonion

C4-C5

approximate level of thyroid cartilage

T2-T3

approximate level of sternal notch

T4-T5

approximate level of sternal angle

T9-T10

xiphoid tip

L2-L3

approximate level of inferior costal margin

L4

approximate level of iliac crest

S1-S2

approximate level of ASIS

level of symphysis

approximate level of greater trochanter

Palpate iliac crest to find L4 level

Center CR at L4 for AP abdomen 

Check patient comfort and shielding 

Steps for AP Abdomen positioning

anatomic position

_______ is your map legend

directional pairs

_____ are you compass

landmarks

_____ are your street signs