Anatomy - Regions and Directions

Superior (cranial)

Directional: Above

Inferior (caudal)

Directional: Below

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional: In front of; toward or at the front of the body

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional: Behind; toward or at the back of the body

Medial

Directional: toward center

Lateral

Directional: away from center

Proximal

Directional: closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Distal

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

Superficial

Directional: surface; outside

Deep

Directional: internal

Abdominal

Regional: abs

Axillary

Regional: armpit

Antebrachial

Regional: Forearm; front of arm

Brachial

Regional: Upper Arm

Cephalic

Regional: brain; skull

Cervical

Regional: neck region

Crural

Regional: Shin

Digital

Regional: fingers

Femoral

Regional: thigh

Frontal

Regional: forehead

Inguinal

Regional: groin

Lumbar

Regional: lower back

Nasal

Regional: nose

Oral

Regional: mouth

Orbital

Regional: eye socket

Plantar

Regional: sole; bottom of foot

Popliteal

Regional: behind the knee

Sternal

Regional: breastbone

Tarsal

Regional: ankle

Thoracic

Regional: chest (ribs)

Umbilical

Regional: navel/bellybotton

Antecubital

Regional: front of elbow

Carpal

Regional: wrist

Pubic

Regional: gentials

Patellar

Regional: kneecap

Buccal

Regional: cheek

Fibular

Regional: Outside lower leg

Occipital

Regional: Back of the head

Acromial

Regional: top of the shoulder

Vertebral

Regional: spine

Scapular

Regional: shoulder blade

Gluteal

Regional: butt

Sural

Regional: calf

Calcaneal

Regional: heel

Frontal Plane

cuts into front and back parts

Transverse Plane

cuts into top and bottom parts

Sagittal Plane

cuts into left and right parts

Median Plane

cuts into equal left and right parts

Physiology

study of the functions of structures

sacral

Between hips

Deltoid

Curve of shoulder (muscle)

Mental

Chin

Brachial

Top of arm