B

term

Directional Terms

  • Adduction – movement toward the midline of the body.

  • Abduction – movement away from the midline of the body.

  • Superior – toward the head or upper part of the body.

  • Inferior – toward the feet or lower part of the body.

  • Anterior (ventral) – toward the front of the body.

  • Posterior (dorsal) – toward the back of the body.

  • Medial – closer to the midline of the body.

  • Lateral – farther from the midline of the body.

  • External – outside.

  • Internal – inside.

  • Superficial – near the surface of the body.

  • Proximal – nearer to the point of attachment or origin.

  • Distal – farther from the point of attachment or origin.

  • Parietal – related to the wall of a body cavity.

  • Visceral – related to the organs within a body cavity.

Body Regions

  • Umbilical – around the navel (belly button).

  • Iliac – near the hip bone.

  • Cervical – relating to the neck.

  • Cephalad – toward the head.

  • Epigastric – above the stomach.

  • Thoracic – relating to the chest.

  • Inguinal – relating to the groin area.

  • Groin – fold where the thigh meets the abdomen.

  • Caudal – toward the tail/lower part of the body.

  • Ventral – relating to the belly/front.

Procedures / Diagnostics

  • Endoscopy – visual examination inside the body with a scope.

  • Fluoroscopy – X-ray procedure that shows real-time moving images.

Suffixes

  • -gen – substance or agent that produces.

  • -genesis – formation, production.

  • -logist – specialist in the study of.

  • -logy – study of.

  • -lysis – destruction, separation, loosening.

  • -meter – instrument for measuring.

  • -plasia – formation, growth, development.

  • -toxic – poisonous, harmful.

Prefixes

  • Bi- – two, double.

  • Epi- – above, upon.

  • Infra- – below, beneath.

  • Trans- – across, through.

Body Positioning

  • Knee-chest position – patient kneels, buttocks elevated, chest down.

  • Lithotomy position – lying on back with legs raised in stirrups (used for pelvic exams).

  • Dorsal recumbent position – lying on back, knees bent, feet flat.

  • Sims position – lying on left side, right knee drawn up (used for rectal exams).

  • Prone position – lying on stomach, face down.

  • Fowler position – sitting position, head of bed raised (low, semi, high Fowler’s).

  • Supine position – lying flat on back, face up.

Trendelenburg position – lying on back with body tilted so feet are higher than h