Anatomy Terminology

Ventral

toward the front or belly

Dorsal

toward the back or spine

Anterior

toward the front of the body

Posterior

toward the back of the body

Superior

above

Interior

below

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

away from the midline of the body

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment orgin

Distal

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment

Central

Near or toward the midline of the body

peripheral

away from the midline or center of the body

superficial

closer to the body surface

deep

farther from the body surface

Caudal

Toward the tail

Rostral

toward the nose

Cranial

toward the head

Axial

includes the head, neck, and trunk

Appendicular

Arms, legs, and their attachments

Sagittal

divides body into left and right

Transverse

Divides body into upper and lower parts

Frontal

front to back

Frontal Region

forehead

Orbital/Ocular Region

eyes

Buccal Region

cheek

Auricle/Otic Region

ears

Nasal Region

nose

Oral Region

mouth

Mental Region

chin

Cervical Region

neck

Mammary Region

breast

Pectoral Region

muscles of the chest

Sternal Region

sternum

Abdominal Region

stomach

Umbilicus

abdomen

Coxal Region

hip

Pubic Region

above genitals

Inguinal

groin

Femoral Region

thigh

Patellar Region

knee

crural region

leg

tarsal region

ankle

pedal region

foot

digital/phalangeal region

toes

hallux

great toe

Axillary

armpit

Brachial

upper arm

Antecubital

front of elbow

Antebrachial

forearm

Carpal

wrist

Palmar

palm

digital/phalangeal

fingers

pollex

thumb

Caudal

toward the tail

Lumbar

lower back

Sacral

the spine between the buttocks

Cephalic

head

Acromial

shoulder bones

Thoracic

upper part of the back and chest

Gluteal

buttocks

Sural

Calf area

Calcaneal

heel

Femoral

thigh area

popliteal

back of the knee

Sagittal Plane

vertical division of the body into right and left portions

Frontal/Coronal Plane

vertical plane dividing the body or structure into anterior and posterior portions

Transverse Plane

horizontal division of the body into superior and inferior sections

Midsagittal Plane

divides the body into equal right and left sides

Epigastric

above the stomach

Umbilical

near the umbilicus or belly button

Hypogastric

below the stomach

Hypochondriac (R&L)

below the ribs

Lumbar (R&L)

lower back

Iliac/Inguinal (R&L)

near the groin/pelvis

Muscular System

muscles

Skeletal System

bones

Endocrine System

hormones

Lymphatic System

lymph nodes

Reproductive System

produces offspring

Nervous System

brain, spinal cord, nerves

Digestive System

breaking down of foods

Respiratory System

nose, nasal passages, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Cardiovascular System

heart and blood vessels

Urinary/Excretory

waste removal filtering of blood

Immune System

The cells and tissues that recognize and attack foreign substances in the body

Integumentary System

skin, hair, nails

Crural region

leg

plantar region

bottom of foot