Medical Terminology III

Directional Terms

Cranial/cephalic

head

caudal

towards the tailbone (“down”)

lateral

to the side

medial

to the middle

Superior

higher

inferior

lower

anterior/ventral

to the front

posterior/dorsal

to the back

proximal

closer to body (eg beginning of limb)

distal

away from body (eg end of limb)

palmar

palms of hands

plantar

sole of foot

dorsal (hand)

back of hand

dorsal (foot)

top of foot

Flexion

extension

hyperextension

pronation

palm down

supination

palm up

dorsiflexion

flex towards dorsum of foot

plantar flexion

flex towards plantar region of foot (sole)

sagital plane

divides body into left and right planes

coronal plane

divides body into front and back planes (ie anterior/ventral and posterior/dorsal)

transverse plane

divides body into top and bottom planes (ie superior and inferior)

cranial cavity

brain

vertebral cavity

spinal cord

thoracic cavity

heart, lungs, trachea

mediastinum

space in middle of chest (eg interpleural space). all thoracic viscera except lungs

abdominal cavity

b/w diaphragm and pelvic floor

pelvic cavity

reproductive organs, bladder, sigmoid colon, rectum

abdominopelvic cavity

-genesis

origin, beginning

oro-

mouth

somato-

body

stern-

sternum

tars-

sarsus (root of foot)

viscero-

viscera (internal organs

chole-

gall bladder