Human Anatomy and Physiology Chapter
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Superior (cranial) - ANStoward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above
Inferior (caudal) - ANSaway from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the
body; below
Ventral (anterior) - ANStoward or at the front of the body; in front of
Dorsal (posterior) - ANSToward or at the back of the body; behind
Medial - ANStoward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of
Lateral - ANSaway from the midline of the body; on the outer side of
Intermediate - ANSbetween a more medial and a more lateral structure
Proximal - ANScloser to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the
body trunk
Distal - ANSfarther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body
trunk
Superficial - ANStoward or at the body surface
Deep (internal) - ANSaway from the body surface; more internal
Anatomical Position - ANSerect, feet forward, arms at side with palms facing forward, head
facing forward, internationally know
Directional Terms - ANSallow us to explain where one body structure is in relation to another
Axial - ANSfundamental division of our body. Makes up the main axis of our body, includes the
head, neck, and trunk.
Appendicular - ANSfundamental division of our body. relating to the limbs and their attachments
to the axis.
Regional Terms - ANSused to designate specific areas within major body divisions
, Abdominal - ANSpertaining to the anterior body trunk region inferior to the ribs
Acromial - ANSpertaining to the point of the shoulder
Antebrachial - ANSpertaining to the forearm
Antecubital - ANSpertaining to the anterior surface of the elbow
Axillary - ANSpertaining to the armpit
Brachial - ANSpertaining to the arm
Buccal - ANSpertaining to the cheek
Carpal - ANSPertaining to the wrist
Cephalic - ANSpertaining to the head
Cervical - ANSpertaining to the neck region
Coxal - ANSpertaining to the hip
Crural - ANSpertaining to the leg
Digital - ANSpertaining to the fingers or toes
Femoral - ANSpertaining to the thigh
Fibular (peroneal) - ANSpertaining to the side of the leg
Frontal - ANSpertaining to the forehead
Hallux - ANSpertaining to the great toe
Inguinal - ANSpertaining to the groin
Mammary - ANSpertaining to the breast
Manus - ANSpertaining to the hand
Mental - ANSpertaining to the chin
Nasal - ANSpertaining to the nose
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Superior (cranial) - ANStoward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above
Inferior (caudal) - ANSaway from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the
body; below
Ventral (anterior) - ANStoward or at the front of the body; in front of
Dorsal (posterior) - ANSToward or at the back of the body; behind
Medial - ANStoward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of
Lateral - ANSaway from the midline of the body; on the outer side of
Intermediate - ANSbetween a more medial and a more lateral structure
Proximal - ANScloser to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the
body trunk
Distal - ANSfarther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body
trunk
Superficial - ANStoward or at the body surface
Deep (internal) - ANSaway from the body surface; more internal
Anatomical Position - ANSerect, feet forward, arms at side with palms facing forward, head
facing forward, internationally know
Directional Terms - ANSallow us to explain where one body structure is in relation to another
Axial - ANSfundamental division of our body. Makes up the main axis of our body, includes the
head, neck, and trunk.
Appendicular - ANSfundamental division of our body. relating to the limbs and their attachments
to the axis.
Regional Terms - ANSused to designate specific areas within major body divisions
, Abdominal - ANSpertaining to the anterior body trunk region inferior to the ribs
Acromial - ANSpertaining to the point of the shoulder
Antebrachial - ANSpertaining to the forearm
Antecubital - ANSpertaining to the anterior surface of the elbow
Axillary - ANSpertaining to the armpit
Brachial - ANSpertaining to the arm
Buccal - ANSpertaining to the cheek
Carpal - ANSPertaining to the wrist
Cephalic - ANSpertaining to the head
Cervical - ANSpertaining to the neck region
Coxal - ANSpertaining to the hip
Crural - ANSpertaining to the leg
Digital - ANSpertaining to the fingers or toes
Femoral - ANSpertaining to the thigh
Fibular (peroneal) - ANSpertaining to the side of the leg
Frontal - ANSpertaining to the forehead
Hallux - ANSpertaining to the great toe
Inguinal - ANSpertaining to the groin
Mammary - ANSpertaining to the breast
Manus - ANSpertaining to the hand
Mental - ANSpertaining to the chin
Nasal - ANSpertaining to the nose
