Medical Terminology - chapter 2

anatomy

study of structures of the body

physiology

study of functions of body structures

sagittal plane

divides into unequal left and right sides

midsagittal plane (midline)

divides into equal left and right sides

coronal (frontal) plane

divides into anterior and posterior

transverse plane

divides into superior and inferior

ventral

front / belly side of the body

dorsal

back of the body

anterior

front or forward

posterior

back or after

superior

above or toward head

inferior

below or toward feet

cephalic

toward head

caudal

toward tail or lower part of body

proximal

closer to point of attachment or certain body structure

distal

further away from point of attachment or certain body structure

medial

toward midline

lateral

away from midline

“al”

pertaining to