Med Term Chapter 3 Terms

Directional terms, Abdominopelvic regions, Anatomic planes, Body positions

lateral (lat)

pertaining to the side

medial (med)

pertaining to the middle

unilateral

pertaining to one side (only)

bilateral

pertaining to two sides

mediolateral

pertaining to the middle and to the side

distal

pertaining to away (from the point of attachment)

proximal

pertaining to near (to the point of attachment)

inferior (inf)

pertaining to below

superior (sup)

pertaining to above

caudal

pertaining to the tail (downwards when referring to human trunk)

cephalic

pertaining to the head

anterior (ant)

pertaining to the front

posterior

pertaining to the back

dorsal

pertaining to the back

ventral

pertaining to the belly (front)

anteroposterior (AP)

pertaining to the front and to the back

posteroanterior (PA)

pertaining to the back and to the front

umbilical region (1)

around the navel (umbilicus)

lumbar regions (2)

to the right and to the left of the umbilical region, near the waist

epigastric regions (2)

to the right and left of the umbilical region, near the waist

hypochondriac regions (2)

to the right and left of the epigastric region

hypogastric region (1)

inferior to the umbilical reagion

iliac regions (2)

to the right and left of the hypogastric region, near the groin (also called the ingional regions)

abdominopelvic regions

pertaining to the abdominal and pelvis regions

axial plane

horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions (aka transverse plane and horizontal plane)

coronal plane

vertical plane passing through the body from side to side, dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions (aka frontal plane)

midsagittal plane

vertical plane passing through the body from front to back at the midline, dividing the body equally into right and left halves

oblique plane

diagonal plane passing through the body at an angle between the horizontal and vertical planes (any plane that is neither vertical nor horizontal)

parasagittal plane

vertical plane passing through the body from front to back, dividing the body into unequal left and right sides (any plane parallel to the midsaggital plane)

sagittal plane

vertical plane passing through the body from front to back, dividing the body into right and left sides (general term referring to the midsagittal plane and parasagittal planes)

What plane?

coronal plane

What plane?

midsagittal plane

What plane?

axial plane

What plane?

coronal plane

What plane?

midsagittal plane

What plane?

axial plane

lateral position

lying on one side with knees bent; right and left precede the term to indicate the patient’s side (aka side-lying position and lateral recumbent position)

lithotomy position

lying on back with legs raised and feet in stirrups, hips and knees flexed, and thighs abducted (away from the body) and externally rotated

orthopnea position

sitting upright in a chair or in a bed supported by pillows behind the back. Sometimes the patient tilts forward, resting on a pillow supported by an overbed table. (aka orthopneic position)

prone position

lying on abdomen, facing downward; head may be turned to one side; aka ventral recumbent position

recumbent position

lying down in any position (aka decubitus position)

semiprone position

lying on one side between a lateral and prone position with the upper knee drawn up toward the chest and lower arm drawn parallel to the back. “Right” or “left” precede the term to indicate the patient’s right or left side.

sitting position

bed position with head of the bed elevated at an angle between 15° and 90° and with slight elevation of the knees (aka Fowler position and semisitting position)

supine position

lying on back, facing upward (aka dorsal recumbent position)

Trendelenburg position

lying on back with body tilted so that the head is lower than the feet; used less often due to risks that include incrased pressure within the eyes (intraocular) and within the skull (intracranial)

radiograph

record of x-rays

radiography

process of recording x-rays

radiologist

physician who specializes in x-rays (specifically the diagnosis and treatment of disease using medical imaging such as x-rays, computed tomography [CT] magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], nuclear medicine [NM] and sonography)

radiology

study of x-rays (a branch of medicine concerned with the study and application of imaging technology, including x0rays computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], nuclear medicine [NM], and sonography to diagnose and treat disease)

sonogram

record of sound

sonography

process of recording sound (aka ultrasonography [US]

tomography

process of recording slices (anatomical cross sections) [types of tomography: computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)]

computed tomography (CT)

imaging modality that combines x-rays with computer technology to produce detailed, cross-sectional images of the body, called “slices.” Oral or intravenous contrast materials may be given to highlight specific regions in the body.

fluoroscopy

imaging of moving body structures, like an x-ray movie. An x-ray beam is passed through the body part being studied, and then the image is transmitted to a monitor in real time so that the movement can be seen in detail. Contrast materials are used to help identify and assess the function of different structures.

nuclear medicine (NM)

imaging of internal structures using a Gamma camera to detect radiation from different parts of the body after a radioactive material (radioisotope) has been given to the patient

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

high-strength, computer-controlled magnetic fields producing a series of sectional images (slices) that visualize abnormalities such as swelling, infections, tumors, and herniated disks. Contrast materials may be administered.

scan

image obtained from diagnostic imaging procedures where data from several angles or sections have been combined; often scans are generated with the use of radioactive materials administered to the patient. Scans are generate by many diagnostic imaging procedures, including but not limited to nuclear medicine, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging