Anatomical Terminology

Front

Anatomical Position Noun

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[an-uh-tom-i-kuhl puh-zish-uhn]

Back

Anatomical Position

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A standard reference pose where the body is erect, with feet parallel, arms at sides, and palms facing forward.

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Example: This image shows a person standing upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward, which is the standard anatomical position.

Front

Anterior (Ventral) Adjective

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[an-teer-ee-er (ven-truhl)]

Back

Anterior (Ventral)

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Pertaining to or situated at or near the front of the body or a specific body part.

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Example: This diagram shows the anterior (or ventral) direction on a human body, which means toward the front, as indicated by the green arrow.

Front

Posterior (Dorsal) Adjective

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[pos-teer-ee-er (dor-suhl)]

Back

Posterior (Dorsal)

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Pertaining to or situated at or near the back of the body or a specific body part.

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Example: This diagram shows anatomical directions on a fish. 'Posterior' indicates the tail end of the body, while 'Dorsal' indicates the back or upper side.

Front

Superior Adjective

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[soo-peer-ee-er]

Back

Superior

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Located toward the head or the upper part of a structure, positioned above another part of the body.

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Example: This diagram shows that in anatomical terms, 'Superior' refers to the direction towards the head or the upper part of the body.

Front

Inferior (Caudal) Adjective

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[in-feer-ee-er (kaw-dl)]

Back

Inferior (Caudal)

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Located away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure, positioned below another body part.

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Example: This diagram shows that in anatomical terms, 'Caudal' (or Inferior) refers to the direction toward the tail or feet, as indicated by the downward arrow.

Front

Medial Adjective

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[mee-dee-uhl]

Back

Medial

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Pertaining to the middle or center; nearer to the midline of the body or a structure.

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Example: This diagram of a knee joint shows that "medial" refers to the parts closer to the body's midline, like the medial meniscus and ligament.

Front

Lateral Adjective

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[lat-er-uhl]

Back

Lateral

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Pertaining to the side; farther from the midline of the body or a structure.

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Example: This diagram shows that 'lateral' is an anatomical direction pointing away from the midline of the body, towards the sides.

Front

Proximal Adjective

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[prok-si-muhl]

Back

Proximal

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Closer to the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

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Example: This diagram shows that 'proximal' refers to the central part of the body (the torso), which serves as the main point of attachment for the limbs.

Front

Distal Adjective

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[dis-tl]

Back

Distal

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

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Example: This diagram shows that in anatomy, 'distal' refers to a body part that is farther away from the center or trunk of the body.

Front

Superficial Adjective

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[soo-per-fish-uhl]

Back

Superficial

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Located on or near the surface of the body or an organ, as opposed to being deep or internal.

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Example: This image shows a cut on the surface of the skin. In anatomy, 'superficial' means located on or near the body's surface, like this shallow wound.