Anatomical Locations and Positions

Vocabulary practice covering definitions of anatomical locations and positions from the EXW 215: Resistance Training & Recovery course.

Anterior

The front of the body; ventral

Posterior

The back of the body; dorsal

Superficial

Located close to or on the body surface

Deep

Below the surface

Proximal

Closer to any reference point

Distal

Farther from any reference point

Superior

Toward the head; higher (cephalic)

Inferior

Away from the head; lower (caudal)

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; to the side

Ipsilateral

On the same side

Contralateral

On the opposite side

Unilateral

One side

Bilateral

Both sides

Prone

Lying face down

Supine

Lying face up

Valgus

Distal segment of a joint deviates laterally

Varus

Distal segment of a joint deviates medially

Arm

The region from the shoulder to elbow

Forearm

The region from the elbow to the wrist

Thigh

The region from the hip to the knee

Leg

The region from the knee to the ankle