Anatomical Directional and Regional Terms

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering anatomical directional terms, body planes, and regional body landmark terminology derived from lecture notes.

Anterior

Positioned at or toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Inferior

A position below or lower than another part of the body.

Superior

Positioned at or higher than another part of the body.

Medial

Toward the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.

Lateral

Describes a position or direction toward the side of the body.

Distal

Describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment.

Proximal

Describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment.

Superficial

Position closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Describes a position farther from the surface of the body.

Ventral

Underside of a four-legged animal, corresponding to the anterior surface in humans.

Dorsal

Top side of a four-legged animal, corresponding to the posterior surface in humans.

Sagittal Section

A section that cuts an organ or the body into right and left parts.

Transverse Section

A section that cuts the body or organ into superior and inferior parts.

Frontal Section

A section plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Abdominal

Pertaining to the abdomen region.

Acromial

Pertaining to the shoulder region.

Antebrachial

Pertaining to the forearm region.

Antecubital

The front of the elbow region, commonly used as the site to draw blood from a patient.

Axillary

Pertaining to the armpit region.

Brachial

Pertaining to the upper arm region.

Buccal

Pertaining to the cheek or face area.

Calcaneal

Pertaining to the heel or foot bone.

Carpal

Pertaining to the wrist region.

Cephalic

Pertaining to the head region.

Cervical

Pertaining to the neck region.

Coxal

Pertaining to the hip region.

Crural

Pertaining to the leg or shin region.

Digital

Pertaining to the digits or fingers.

Femoral

Pertaining to the femur or thigh region.

Frontal Region

Pertaining to the forehead region.

Gluteal

Pertaining to the buttock region.

Hallux

Pertaining to the great toe.

Inguinal

Pertaining to the groin region.

Lumbar

Pertaining to the loin or lower back region.

Manual

Pertaining to the hand region.

Mental

Pertaining to the chin region.

Nasal

Pertaining to the nose region.

Occipital

Pertaining to the back of the skull or head.

Olecranal

Pertaining to the back of the elbow.

Oral

Pertaining to the mouth region.

Orbital

Pertaining to the eye region.

Otic

Pertaining to the ear region.

Patellar

Pertaining to the kneecap region.

Pedal

Pertaining to the foot region.

Pelvic

Pertaining to the pelvis region.

Plantar

Pertaining to the bottom or sole of the foot.

Pollux

Pertaining to the thumb digit.

Popliteal

Pertaining to the back of the knee region.

Sacral

Pertaining to the sacrum, lower back, or upper buttock region.

Scapular

Pertaining to the shoulder blade region.

Sternal

Pertaining to the sternum or chest bone region.

Sural

Pertaining to the calf region.

Tarsal

Pertaining to the ankle region.

Thoracic

Pertaining to the chest region.

Umbilical

Pertaining to the navel region.

Vertebral

Pertaining to the vertebra or spine region.