Chapter 5 Medical Terminology

abdominal quadrants

horizontal and vertical lines through navel

anatomic position

the standard reference position for the body in the study of anatomy; in this position, the body is standing erect, facing the observer, with arms down at the sides and the palms of the hands forward

anatomy

study of body structure

anterior

the front of the body or body part

bilateral

on both sides

supine

patient lying on back

compound

made up of 2 or more words

distal

farther from torso

dorsal

referring to the back of the body or the back of the hand or foot

abbreviation

letters or symbols used in place of words or phrases

inferior

vertical, below

lateral

farther from the midline

medial

toward the midline of the body

mid-axillary line

a line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle

mid-clavicular line

divides chest into regions

midline

an imaginary line drawn down the center of the body, dividing it into right and left halves

palmar

the palm of the hand

physiology

the study of body function

plane

a flat surface formed when slicing through a solid object

plantar

the sole of the foot