EMT Chapter 5 – Anatomy & Medical Terms

Abdominal Quadrants

The 4 parts of your belly. (Memory: Pizza cut into 4 slices.)

Anatomic Position

Standard body position: standing, looking forward, arms at sides, palms forward.

Anatomy

Study of body structure. (Memory: A map of the body.)

Anterior

Front. (Memory: The FRONT door.)

Bilateral

Both sides. (Memory: Two hands = both sides.)

Combining Form

A root that joins another word. (Memory: Puzzle pieces fit together.)

Compound Word

Two whole words together. (Memory: Race + Car = Racecar.)

Distal

Farther from your body. (Memory: Your fingertips are FAR away.)

Dorsal

Back. (Memory: Your backpack goes on your back.)

Fowler Position

Sitting up. (Memory: Sit in a chair.)

Inferior

Lower. (Memory: In the basement = lower.)

Lateral

To the side. (Memory: Sidewalk = side.)

Medial

Toward the middle. (Memory: Meet in the middle.)

Midaxillary Line

Line through the middle of the armpit.

Midclavicular Line

Line through the middle of your collarbone.

Midline

Middle of the body. (Memory: Imagine cutting your body in half.)

Palmar

Palm of the hand. (Memory: Palm tree -> Palm of your hand.)

Physiology

Study of how the body works. (Memory: Body = Machine.)

Plane

Flat slice through the body. (Memory: Slice of bread.)

Plantar

Bottom of the foot. (Memory: Plants grow under your feet.)

Posterior

Back. (Memory: Poster = on your back.)

Prefix

Beginning of a word. (Memory: PRE = first.)

Prone

Face down. (Memory: Sleeping on your stomach.)

Proximal

Close to your body. (Memory: Your shoulder is closer.)

Recovery Position

Lying on your side. (Memory: Roll someone onto their side.)

Root

Main part of a word. (Memory: Tree roots hold everything up.)

Suffix

End of a word. (Memory: The caboose is at the END.)

Superior

Toward the head. (Memory: The king's crown sits on TOP.)

Supine

Lying on your back. (Memory: Looking up at the stars.)

Torso

Body without head, arms, or legs. (Memory: Part wearing shirt.)

Unilateral

One side. (Memory: One hand.)

Ventral

Front. (Memory: Your heart is in the front.)