Dental and Biomedical Sciences 1: Anatomical Terminology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical planes, directional terminology, limb and mandibular movements, and oral cavity/dental anatomical surfaces.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position where the patient is erect and facing the clinician, with head erect and eyes pointing forwards, palms by the hips facing forwards with thumbs out, and feet together flat on the ground facing forwards.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical anatomical plane that divides the body into right and left sections.

Coronal Plane

A vertical anatomical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal anatomical plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections.

Superior

Directional term meaning located above, towards the head, or higher than another structure (e.g., the head is superior to the feet).

Inferior

Directional term meaning located below, towards the feet, or lower than another structure.

Medial

Directional term meaning positioned nearer to the midline of the body (e.g., the heart is medial to the lungs).

Lateral

Directional term meaning positioned further away from the midline of the body (e.g., the arms are lateral to the trunk).

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning towards or situated at the front of the body (e.g., the breastbone is anterior to the spine).

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning towards or situated at the back of the body (e.g., the spine is posterior to the abdominal muscles).

Superficial

Directional term meaning situated nearer to the surface of the body (e.g., the ribcage is superficial to the lungs).

Deep

Directional term meaning situated further inward from the surface of the body (e.g., the muscles are deep to the skin).

Ipsilateral

Term meaning located on, affecting, or referring to the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Term meaning located on, affecting, or referring to the opposite side of the body.

Proximal

Directional term meaning towards the start point or closer to the trunk (e.g., the elbow joint is proximal to the wrist).

Distal

Directional term meaning towards the end point or further away from the trunk (e.g., the wrist joint is distal to the elbow).

Flexion

Anatomical movement of the limbs involving bending a joint or decreasing the angle between body parts.

Extension

Anatomical movement of the limbs involving straightening a joint or increasing the angle between body parts.

Abduction

Anatomical movement that moves a limb away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Anatomical movement that brings a limb toward the midline of the body.

Protrusion (Protraction of Mandible)

Anterior movement of the mandible, pushing the lower jaw forwards.

Retraction (Mandible)

Posterior movement of the mandible, pulling the lower jaw backwards.

Elevation (Mandible)

Superior movement of the mandible that raises the lower jaw to close the mouth.

Depression (Mandible)

Inferior movement of the mandible that lowers the lower jaw to open the mouth.

Dorsal Surface of Tongue

The upper or superior surface of the tongue.

Ventral Surface of Tongue

The under or inferior surface of the tongue.

Oral Vestibule

The anatomical space between the inner aspect of the lips and cheeks and the outer aspect of the teeth and gingiva.

Oral Cavity Proper

The anatomical space of the mouth situated inside and behind the dental arches.

Labial

Relating to the lips; denotes the surfaces of anterior teeth and gingiva facing the upper (maxillary) or lower (mandibular) lip.

Buccal

Relating to the cheek; denotes the outer surface of posterior teeth and adjacent gingiva facing the cheek.

Facial Surface

The tooth surface facing outward toward the face, including both labial and buccal surfaces.

Palatal Surface

The inner surface of maxillary teeth that faces towards the hard palate.

Lingual Surface

The inner surface of teeth facing towards the tongue.

Occlusal Surface

The biting, masticating, or chewing surface of posterior teeth.

Incisal Edge

The biting or cutting edge of anterior teeth.

Mesial Surface

The surface of a tooth facing toward the midline of the dental arch.

Distal Surface

The surface of a tooth facing away from the midline of the dental arch.