Directional Terms
Front
What is ANTERIOR or VENTRAL?
Toward the midline
What is MEDIAL?
Situated away from the center
What is PERIPHERAL?
In the anatomical position, the direction palms should face
What is FORWARD?
Slices as in a CT scan
What is a CROSS-SECTION?
Term for internal organs found within body cavities
What is VISCERA?
Back
What is POSTERIOR or DORSAL?
Away from the midline
What is LATERAL?
Situated within or inside
Lying on the back
What is SUPINE?
An imaginary lines dividing the body into different sections (also a flying machine)
What is a PLANE?
Cavity containing the brain
What is CRANIAL cavity?
Upper
What is SUPERIOR?
Nearest the trunk or point of origin
What is PROXIMAL?
Situated on or outside
What is EXTERNAL?
Lying on the front
What is PRONE?
A vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions
What is FRONTAL or CORONAL plane?
Cavity containing the heart and lungs
What is THORACIC cavity?
Lower
What is INFERIOR?
Farthest from the trunk or point of origin
What is DISTAL?
Situated on the opposite side
What is CONTRALATERAL?
Lying on the side
What is LATERAL RECUMBENT or DECUBITUS?
A vertical plane dividing the body into left and right portions
What is SAGITTAL or LATERAL plane?
What is ABDOMINAL cavity?
Toward the head
What is CRANIAL or CEPHALIC/CEPHALAD?
Away from the head
What is CAUDAL?
Situated on the same side
What is IPSILATERAL?
Lying on the back at an incline, feet above the head
What is TRENDELENBURG?
A horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower portions
What is AXIAL or TRANSVERSE plane?
Cavity containing most of the urogenital system
What is PELVIC cavity?