VTA 115 directional terms flashcards

Anatomy

The form and structure of the body and its parts

Physiology

The functions of the body and its parts

Homeostasis

Organ systems working together to maintain equilibrium in the body

Medial

Directed toward the midline.

Ex: spay incision is made at the midline of the belly

Median plane

Divides the body into equal left and right halves

Dorsal

towards the back

Dorsal Plane

Dissection plane parallel with the dorsal surface

Lateral

directed away from the midline- toward the side.

Ex: this cat is being restrained laterally.

Ventral

Directed toward the belly

Recumbency

a state of lying down

Ex: Sternal, Lateral, Dorsal

Proximal

Situated nearer to the central axis of the body relative to another body part

Distal

Situated away from the central axis of the body or from the point of attachment

Cranial

Directed toward the head or anterior

Deep

internal closer to the body

Caudal

Directed toward the tail or posterior

Rostral

Directed toward the nose

Plantar

Directed toward the back/bottom of the rear feet/paw

Palmar

Directed toward the back/bottom of the front feet/paw

Flexion

Increases the angle formed by a joint

Extension

Increasing the angle formed by a joint

Abduction

Moving a limb away from the body

Adduction

moving a limb toward the body

Thoracic cavity

House the heart, lungs and other associated structure

ie, pleural

Abdominal cavity

Caudal to the thoracic cavity.

Organs of the digestive system and related glands, urogenital system, and all associated vessels and nerves that supply these systems.

Pelvic cavity

Caudal to the abdominal cavity.

contains urinary bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs and there is no physical separation between the abdominal and pelvic cavity.

Axillary

region that refers to the armpits

superficial

near the surface of the body

Inguinal

region that refers to the groin area