directional terms pre vet

Distal

Away from the body

Proximal

Near the center of the body

Caudal

Near the tail

Cranial

Relating to the skull

Ventral

Relating to the underside of the animal

Rostral

Situated near the nose and mouth

Plantar

Relating to the sole of the foot

recumbent

Lying down

Dorsal recumbency

Lying on the back

Ventral or sternal recumbency

Lying on the belly

Left lateral recumbency

Lying on the left side

Right lateral recumbency

Lying on the right side

Anatomical Planes Terminology

Is also important when describind L

locations of wounds or producing radiographs

• Divides the animal into four planes

• Include the following:

• median plane

• sagittal planes

• dorsal plane

• transverse plane

Median plane

• Divides the body into equal right and left halves

Sagittal planes

Are any planes to the right or left, which lie parallel to the median plane

Dorsal

Divides the animal into dorsal and ventral

Transversal plane

Divides the trunk of the animal or the extremities

Extension

• when the joint angle increases

• flexion

• when the joint angle decreases

Abduction

• when the joint moves away from the body

• adduction

• when the joint moves towards the body

• supination

• when the palm faces upward

• pronation

• when the palms face downward