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Medical Terminology · Allied Health

Medical Terminology: Body Systems and Directional Terms

Anatomical directional terms, body planes, and body cavity vocabulary used across clinical documentation, distinct from the word-root-focused roots decks.

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What is the standard anatomical position?
Standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward
Anterior
Ventral
Which direction does 'anterior' (ventral) indicate?
Toward the front of the body
Posterior
Dorsal
Which direction does 'posterior' (dorsal) indicate?
Toward the back of the body
What does 'superior' mean in anatomical terms?
Toward the head, or above another structure
What does 'inferior' mean in anatomical terms?
Toward the feet, or below another structure
What does 'medial' mean in anatomical terms?
Toward the midline of the body
What does 'lateral' mean in anatomical terms?
Away from the midline, toward the side of the body
What does 'proximal' mean when describing a limb?
Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk
What does 'distal' mean when describing a limb?
Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk
What does 'superficial' mean in anatomical terms?
Closer to the surface of the body
What does 'deep' mean in anatomical terms?
Farther from the surface of the body, more internal
What does 'cranial' mean in anatomical terms?
Toward the head
What does 'caudal' mean in anatomical terms?
Toward the lower end of the spine or feet

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