Directional Words & Abnormal tissues | Med Term Summer '26

anterior

toward the front

posterior

toward the back

ventral

belly side

dorsal

back side

medial/median

middle or nearer the middle

lateral

toward the side

superior

above

inferior

below

proximal

nearer the origin or point of attachment

distal

far from the origin or point of attachment

cephalad

toward the head

caudad

toward the tail

internal

inside

external

outside

aplasia

lack of development of an organ or tissue

dysplasia

abnormal development of tissues

hypoplasia

underdevelopment of an organ or tissue

hyperplasia

abnormal increase in number of normal cells

hypertrophy

increase in size of existing cells

epithelial tissue

covers internal and external surfaces

connective tissue

supports and binds other body tissue

muscular tissue

contracts to cause movement