Anatomical Terminology

anatomical position

refers to the body position as if the person were standing upright with:-the head, gaze(eyes), and toes directed anteriorly-arms adjacent to the sides with the palms facing anteriorly-lower limbs close together with the feet parallel

superior

a structure that is nearer the vertex, which is the topmost point of the cranium

cranial

forward the head or cranium

inferior

a structure that is situated nearer the sole of the foot

caudal

toward the feet or tail region

posterior

the back surface of the body or nearer to the back

anterior

the front surface of the body

Rostral

nearer the anterior part of the head; often used instead of anterior when describing parts of the brain

medial

a structure nearer to the median plane of the body

lateral

a structure is farther away from the median plane

dorsum

the superior aspect of any part that protrudes anteriorly from the body, such as the tongue or penis

inferomedial

nearer the feet and median plane

superolateral

nearer the head and farther from the median plane

superficial, intermediate, deep

describe the position of structures relative to the surface of the body or the relationship of one structure to another underlying or overlying structure

external

outside of or father from the center of an organ and cavity

internal

inside or closer to the center; independent of direction

proximal

Closer to the point of attachment

distal

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

bilateral

having two sides (ex. kidneys)

unilateral

occurring on one side (ex. spleen)

ipsilateral

on the same side of the body as another structure (ex. your thumb and big toe)

contralateral

on the opposite side of the body from another structure (ex. right hand and left hand)

flexion

Bending or decreasing the angle between the bones or parts of the body, usually in anterior direction

extension

straightening or increasing the angle between the bones or parts of the body, usually in the posterior direction

abduction

movement away from the midline

adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body

Circumduction

circular movement of a limb at the far end; involves sequential flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction

rotation

involves turning or revolving part of the body and its longitudinal axis

medial rotation

brings the anterior surface of a limb closer to the midline

lateral rotation

brings the anterior surface or a limb farther from the midline

pronation

rotates the radius medially so the palm faces posteriorly and its dorsum faces anteriorly

supination

returns the pronated radius back to the anatomical position

eversion

moves the sole of the foot away from the midline

inversions

moves the sole of the foot toward the midline

opposition

movement where the pad of the 1st digit is brought to another digit pad

reposition

movement of the 1st digit back from the position of opposition to the anatomical position

protrusion

movement anteriorly (forward)

retrusion

movement posteriorly (backward)

elevation

raises or moves parts superiorly

depressions

lowers or moves parts inferiorly