Ch.2: Anatomical References Review

Planes, Directions, Cavities, Quadrants & Regions

Superior

toward the head, away from the feet

Inferior

away from the head, toward the feet

Anterior

toward the front surface of the body, ie. ventral

Posterior

toward the back surface of the body, ie. dorsal

Proximal

on limbs, toward the shoulders or hips

Distal

on limbs, away from shoulders or hips

Deep

away from the surface of the body, more internal

Superficial

toward the surface of the body, ie toward the skin

Lateral

away from the midline of the body

Medial

toward the midline of the body

Anterior

toward the front surface of the body, ie. ventral

Posterior

toward the back surface of the body, ie. dorsal

Prone

lying on the stomach, face down

Supine

lying on the back, face up

anatomical position

To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands turned forward

Language of Anatomy

special terminology is used to prevent misunderstanding

Anter/o

front or forward aspect of the body or an anatomical structure.

Ventr/o

belly, belly side or abdominal area of the body.

Poster/o

back or rear aspect of the body or an anatomical structure.

Dors/o

back or posterior aspect of the body or an anatomical structure.

Medi/o

middle or medial aspect of the body or an anatomical structure.

Later/o

side or lateral aspect of the body or an anatomical structure.

Superi/o

upper or above aspect of the body or an anatomical structure.

Infer/o

lower or below an anatomical structure.

Proxim/o

nearer to the trunk of the body or point of attachment.**

Dist/o

farther from the trunk of the body or **point of attachment. **

Caud/o

**Tail end**or lower part of the body.

Cephal/o

Head or head-end of the body.

Coron/o

crown or circle of the head

Para-

beside, near, alongside

Mid-

middle

Trans-

across

-ior

suffix that means **pertaining to**

-al

suffix that means **pertaining to**

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

A horizontal plane that divides a body structure into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) portions.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left sections. 

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) portions.

superficial

Structures closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Structures that are more internal or further from the surface of the body.

cav/o, cavit/o

cavity or hollow space in the body

Dors/o

backside

crani/o

skull

Vertebr/o

vertebrae or backbone

spin/o

spine or spinal column

encephal/o

brain

myel/o

bone marrow or spinal cord

ventr/o

belly side

thorac/o

chest, thorax

abdomin/o

abdomen

peritone/o

peritoneum

pelv/i, pelv/o

pelvis, hip, pelvic bone

pleur/o

pleura

diaphragm/o, phren/o

diaphragm

pericard/o, pericardi/o

pericardium

retro-

prefix meaning behind

peri-

prefix meaning surrounding, around

intra-

prefix meaning within or inside

sub-

prefix meaning under, below

-al, -ic

suffixes that mean pertaining to