Medical Terminology: Positioning, Directional, and Body Structure Terms

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards for positioning, directional, and body structure terms and abbreviations based on the provided notes.

Distal

far, farthest

Dorsal

back, behind; topside if referring to top/bottom

Proximal

near, nearest

Ventral

front; downside if referring to top/bottom

Medial

toward to middle

Lateral

toward the side

Anterior

pertaining to the front

Posterior

pertaining to the back

Cephalad

toward the head

Caudal

toward the lower part of the body; away from the head

Abduction

away from the body

Adduction

toward the body

Inferior

below

Superior

above

Midsagittal

median plane of the body dividing it into equal left and right halves

Transverse

horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions

Coronal

frontal plane of the body dividing it into equal front and back halves

Abdomin-

abdomen

Cephal-

head

Cervic-

neck

Chondr-

cartilage

Crani-

cranium/skull

Cyt-

cell

Gastr-

stomach

ili-

ilium

Inguin-

groin

Lumb-

lower back

Pelv-

pelvis

Spin-

spine

Thorac-

chest

Umbilic-

umbilicus, navel