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Anatomical Terms and Body Planes

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is the anatomical position?

    The standard reference position in anatomy where the body stands upright, facing forward, arms at the sides with palms facing forward.

  • Define the term 'anterior'.

    Anterior means toward the front of the body.

  • Define the term 'posterior'.

    Posterior means toward the back of the body.

  • What does 'superior' mean in anatomical terms?

    Superior means above or toward the head.

  • What does 'inferior' mean in anatomical terms?

    Inferior means below or toward the feet.

  • Define 'medial'.

    Medial means toward the midline of the body.

  • Define 'lateral'.

    Lateral means away from the midline of the body.

  • What does 'proximal' mean?

    Proximal means closer to the point of attachment or origin.

  • What does 'distal' mean?

    Distal means farther from the point of attachment or origin.

  • Define the sagittal plane.

    The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right parts.

  • What is the midsagittal plane?

    The midsagittal plane divides the body into equal left and right halves.

  • Define the frontal (coronal) plane.

    The frontal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

  • Define the transverse (horizontal) plane.

    The transverse plane divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

  • What is the difference between superficial and deep?

    Superficial means toward or on the surface; deep means away from the surface, more internal.

  • Define the term 'ventral'.

    Ventral refers to the front or belly side of the body.

  • Define the term 'dorsal'.

    Dorsal refers to the back side of the body.

  • What does 'ipsilateral' mean?

    Ipsilateral means on the same side of the body.

  • What does 'contralateral' mean?

    Contralateral means on the opposite side of the body.

  • Define 'caudal'.

    Caudal means toward the tail or lower part of the body.

  • What is the anatomical meaning of 'cranial'?

    Cranial means toward the head end of the body.