Anatomical Terminology, Body Regions, and Planes of Motion

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes on directional terminology, regional anatomy, and planes/axes of motion.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

Superior (Cranial / Supra)

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure/body; above.

Inferior (Caudal / Infra)

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure/body; below.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or point of attachment of a limb to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or point of attachment of a limb to the trunk.

Superficial (External)

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep (Internal)

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Intermediate

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Superolateral

Above and to the outside/side of a structure.

Superomedial

Above and toward the midline/center of a structure.

Inferolateral

Below and to the outside/side of a structure.

Inferomedial

Below and toward the midline/center of a structure.

Volar (Palmar / Plantar)

Relating to the palm of the hand or the sole/underside of the foot.

Radial

Pertaining to the lateral side of the forearm or hand (thumb side).

Ulnar

Pertaining to the medial side of the forearm or hand (pinky side).

Tibial

Pertaining to the medial side of the leg/lower extremity.

Fibular (Peroneal)

Pertaining to the lateral side of the leg/lower extremity.

Cephalic

Head region.

Cervical

Neck region.

Thoracic

Chest region.

Sternal

Area of the sternum / breastbone.

Axillary

Armpit region.

Abdominal

Anterior trunk region below the ribs.

Pelvic

Area overlying the pelvis anteriorly.

Inguinal

Groin area.

Brachial

Arm (specifically upper arm, shoulder to elbow).

Antecubital

Front of the elbow.

Antebrachial

Forearm.

Carpal

Wrist region.

Palmar

Palm of the hand.

Digital / Phalangeal

Fingers or toes.

Femoral

Thigh region.

Patellar

Anterior surface of the knee (kneecap).

Popliteal

Posterior area behind the knee joint.

Crural

Anterior leg / shin region.

Sural

Posterior leg / calf region.

Tarsal

Ankle region.

Plantar

Sole of the foot.

Scapular

Shoulder blade region.

Vertebral

Area along the spinal column.

Lumbar

Lower back area between the ribs and pelvis.

Sacral

Region between the hips overlying the sacrum.

Gluteal

Buttock region.

Sagittal Plane & Axis of Motion

Divides the body vertically into Right and Left halves; correlated with Bilateral Axis (Frontal/Transverse axis); primary movements are Flexion and Extension.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane & Axis of Motion

Divides the body vertically into Anterior and Posterior (Front and Back) halves; correlated with Anteroposterior Axis (Sagittal axis); primary movements are Abduction, Adduction, Lateral Flexion / Side Bending.

Transverse Plane & Axis of Motion

Divides the body horizontally into Superior and Inferior (Top and Bottom) halves; correlated with Vertical / Longitudinal Axis; primary movements are Internal (Medial) Rotation, External (Lateral) Rotation, Horizontal Abduction/Adduction, Spinal Rotation.

Diagonal / Oblique Plane

A combination of two or more cardinal planes of motion; correlated with Oblique Axis; primary movements are complex multi-planar actions.