Anatomical Terms

artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

Articulation

connection between bones

Axilla

armpit

Conjunctiva

white area of the eyes

Cornea

Transparent coat of the eyeball covering the iris and pupil, allowing light into the eye

Gingiva

gums

Joint

articulation or junction between two or more bones or cartilage

Ligament

fibrous tissue, binding bones together

Nares

nostrils

Os

mouth, orifice

Shaft

Long, slender portion of a long bone

Sclera

Dense fibrous opaque outer coat enclosing the eyeball except the part covered by the cornea

tympanic membrane (TM)

eardrum

Vein

Vessel carrying deoxygenated blood to the heart, excluding pulmonary veins

Lacrimal

to do with tears

Lingual

belonging to the tongue

Inguinal

pertaining to the groin

Sciatic

pertaining to the ischium or hip

Abduction

movement of a body part away from the midline

Adduction

movement of a body part toward the midline

Depressor

A muscle whose contraction pulls down the part of the body to which it is attached

Dorsiflexion

Backward flexion, bending (hand/foot)

Extension

Straightening a body part

Evert

turn outward

Flexion

Bending or angulation of a body part

Invert

To turn inward

Levator

A muscle whose contraction raises the part of the body to which it is attached

*Plantar Flexion

Foot movement when toes flex down (pointing your toes)

anatomical position

The erect position of the body with the face directed forward, the arms at the side, and the palms of the hands facing forward

Anterior (Ventral)

nearer to the front

Bilateral

paired structures having right and left members

Contralateral

occurring on the opposite side of the body

Deep

farther from the surface

Distal

Farther from the trunk or site of attachment

Dorsal

Situated toward the back of the body; also the back of the hand and top of the foot

External

Situated outside; exterior (refers to wall of cavity or hollow form)

Frontal (coronal)

Vertical planes that pass through the body at right angles to the median plane; divide the body into anterior and posterior parts

Inferior

nearer to the feet

Internal

Inside (refers to wall of cavity or hollow form)

Ipsilateral

occurring on the same side of the body

Lateral

farther from the midline

Medial

Nearer to the midline

Palmar

Palmar surface of hand

Posterior

nearer to the back

Pronator

Medial rotation of the forearm and hand so that the palm faces posteriorly

Prone

body lying face down

Proximal

Nearer to the trunk of the body

*Supine

body lying face up

Superior

nearer to the head

Transverse (horizontal)

Horizontal planes that pass through the body at right angles to long axis; divides body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts

Volar

relating to the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot