BODY POSITIONS

Abduction

Move away.

Adduction

Move toward.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward front.

Bilateral

Paired structures, one on each side.

Caudal

Toward lower body.

Cephalic

Toward the head.

Contralateral

Structures on the opposite side.

Deep

More internal.

Distal

Further from trunk or other point.

Dorsal recumbent

Laying on back with knees bent up in an outward position.

Eversion

Turned outward.

Fowlers

Sitting.

Inferior

Away from head, or below another part.

Inversion

Turned inward.

Ipsilateral

Structures on same side.

Lateral

Toward side.

Lithotomy

Laying on back with legs/feet in stirrups.

Medial

Imaginary midline dividing the body in half.

Palmar

Palm of hand.

Parietal

Outer wall body cavity.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward back.

Prone

Laying flat with the chest down and the back up.

Proximal

A part closer to the trunk, or closer to another specified point than another part.

Sims

Patient will roll to their left or right side and pillows are used.

Superficial (Peripheral)

Near the surface.

Superior

A part is above another part or closer to the head.

Supine

Lying on the back with legs flat.

Trendelenburg

Lying flat on the back with the feet raised higher than the head.