anatomical regions and directional terms

why do we need anatomical terminology?

to precisely describe body locations

relative directions shift when body position changes

Superior

above

describes locations on head/torso

Inferior

below

describes locations on head/torso

Anterior

front (of the body)

Posterior

behind (back side of body)

Ventral

belly side (same for humans as anterior)

Dorsal

back side (same for humans as posterior)

Lateral

away from the midline

Medial

toward the midline

attachment point for limbs

where limb is attatched to torso

proximal

closer to attachment point (location on limbs)

Distal

further from attachment point (location on limbs)

Superficial

external, towards external surface

Deep

internal/interior

Nasal region

nose

frontal region

forehead

orbital region

eye

buccal region

cheek

oral region

mouth

mental region

chin

cervical region

neck

acromial region

point of shoulder

axillary region

armpit

brachial region

upper arm

antecubital region

anterior elbow

antebrachial region

forearm

carpal region

wrist

palmar region

palm

digital region

fingers or toes

patellar region

anterior knee

tarsal region

ankle

pedal region

foot

sternal region

breastbone/sternum

thoracic region

chest

mammary region

breast

costal region

ribs

abdominal region

abdomen

umbilical region

navel, belly button

pelvic region

pelvis

coxal region

hip

inguinal region

groin

pubic region

genitals

femoral region

thigh

crural region

shin

cephalic region

head

otic region

ear

occipital region

back of head/base of skull

vertebral region

spinal column

scapular region

shoulder blade

dorsal region

back

olecranal region

posterior elbow

lumbar region

lower back

sacral region

tailbone

gluteal region

buttock

perineal region

Area between anus and genitals

popliteal region

posterior knee

sural region

calf

calcaneal region

heel

plantar region

sole

The antecubital region is ___ to the carpal region

proximal

The nasal region is ___ to the oral region

superior

The occipital region is ___ to the mental region

posterior

The sternal region is ___ to the axillary region

medial

Rewrite: Patient has a shallow scrape extending upwards and outwards from the navel to the right ribcage.

Patient has a superficial scrape extending superiorly and laterally from the umbillical region to the right costal region

Rewrite: Patient landed on the back of the elbow and has a bruise extending down the arm across their forearm region.

Patient landed on the olecranal region and has a bruise extending distally across their antebrachial region.

Rewrite: Patient has inflammation in the left shoulder blade that extends outwards to the shoulder.

Patient has inflammation in the left scapular region that extends laterally to the acromial region