Anatomy directional terms, location and movement

Superior/Cranial

Nearer to the head, upper part of the body in relation

Inferior/CAUDAL

Nearer to soles, lower part of body in relation

Lateral

Away from median plane

Medial

Towards median plane

Anterior

Front of body, nearer to front

Posterior

Behind or dorsal of body, nearer to back

Superficial

Near to the surface, or nearer

Deep

Away from surface

Internal

Inside cavity or organ,

External

External region of cavity or organ

Proximal

Nearer to attached root of a limb or nerve

Distal

Further to attatched root of limb or nerve

Supine

Lying on back,

Prone

Lying on stomach, facing downwards

Gross A

Internal organs, blood vessels, what can be seen with the naked eye

Surface a

Relative to skin surface, visualizing structures underneath

Regional A

Anatomy by regions, brain and spinal cord, head and neck, abdomen, upper limb, lower limb, thorax

Microscopic (Histology)

Study of anatomy using aid of microscope

Radiological

Study using radiological techniques, CT scan, ultrasound, MRI, X ray

Clinical Anatomy

Study of anatomy and understanding importance of structures in clinical application

Systemic

Studying anatomy according to systems, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, reproductive, muscular, skeletal, lymphatic, (Nervous, Urinary, Endocrine, Articular )

Bilateral

Both sides

Unilateral

One side

Contralateral

Opposite sides,

Ipsilateral

Same sides of body

Flexion

To bend, make angle between body parts

Extension

To straighten, increase angle between body parts

Adduction

Add on to body, or movements that bring limbs nearer to median plane

Abduction

Move limbs away from median plane

Joint

Where two or more bones meet, ball and socket or hinger

Medial Rotation

Rotations that takes anterior surface of limb closer to median plane

Lateral Rotation

Rotations that takes anterior surface of limb away from median plane

Circumduction

sequence of movements, distal end is a circle, flexion, abduction, extension, adduction

Palmar

anterior surface of hand

Plantar

inferior surface of foot

Dorsum

posterior surface of hand, and superior surface of foot