Anatomical Position and Directional Terms of Human Body

Anatomical Terminology- Proximal, Distal, Dorsal, Ventral

 

What is an Anatomical position?

 

The body is standing erect (upright position) facing forward (directly facing the observer), legs are parallel with feet flat on the floor, upper arms placed at the body’s sides with palms, and facing forward.

 

Check out here anatomical planes and sections of the body.

 

Anatomical position is the positioning of the body, standing upright position and facing forward with each arm hanging on either side of the body, and palms facing forward, and head and eyes directed straight ahead, legs are parallel, with feet flat on the floor.

Anatomical Position

Know how many body cavities are present in the human body.

 

Directional Terms of the Body

 

Directional terms of the body are used to describe the location of the body part.

 

1. Superior or cranial

 

Towards the head or upper part of the structure. For example; Cephalic or cranial

 

2. Inferior or caudal

 

Towards the feet, away from the head.

 

3. Ventral or Anterior 

 

Towards the front of the body. For example, the kneecap.

 

4. Dorsal or Posterior 

 

Towards the back of the body. For example, the shoulder blades.

 

5. Medial or mesial

 

Towards the midline of the body.

 

6. Lateral

 

To the side of or away from the midline of the body. For example, arms are lateral to the chest

 

7. Proximal

 

Toward or nearer to the trunk of the body or toward the point of origin of a part.

 

8. Distal

 

Away from the trunk or away from the point of origin of a part.

 

 

9. Superficial

 

On the surface of the body.

 

10. Deep

 

Towards the interior (inside) of the body.

 

11. Parietal

 

Forming the outer wall of the body cavity.

 

12. Visceral

 

Inner covering of the body that covers internal organs.

 

13. Intermediate

 

Between the two structures.

 

14. Peripheral

 

Away from the central axis of the body, away from the center.

 

15. Ipsilateral

 

On the same side of the body. For example spleen and descending colon. 

 

16. Contralateral

 

On the opposite side of the body or on the side opposite to another structure.

For example, a stroke involving the right side of the brain may cause paralysis of the left leg.

 

17. Prone

 

To lie on the anterior (front) surface down.

 

18. Supine

 

To lie on the anterior (front) surface facing up.

 

19. External

 

Outside

 

20. Internal

 

Inside

 

21. Interior

 

The inside part of something.

 

22. Exterior

 

On the outside

 

23. Palmar     

 

Anterior hand or palm of a hand (palmar).

 

24. Plantar     

 

The inferior surface of the foot (sole).

 

Understanding the divisions of abdomen. What are abdominopelvic regions and quadrants?