Unit 2: Medical Terminology Movement Terms
Prone
Lying face down
Supine
Lying face up
Bilateral
Pertaining to both sides of the body
Unilateral
Pertaining to one side of the body
Deep
Refers to a structure being closer to the core than another structure in the body.
Inferior
Refers to a structure being closer to the feet or lower than another structure in the body.
Superior
Refers to a structure being closer to the head or higher than another structure in the body.
Medial
Refers to a structure being closer to the midline than another structure in the body.
Superficial
Refers to a structure being closer to the surface than another structure in the body.
Lateral
Refers to a structure being further away from the midline than another structure in the body.
Posterior
Refers to a structure being more in back than another structure in the body.
Anterior
Refers to a structure being more in front than another structure in the body.
Sagittal/Midsagittal Plane
The plane dividing into right and left portions. (Mid=equal)
Frontal/Coronal
The plane dividing the body into front and back portions.
Transverse/Horizontal
The plane dividing the body unto upper and lower portions.
Dorsal
Towards the back
Ventral
Towards the front/belly
Proximal
With reference to the extremities only, Refers to a structure being closer to the root of the limb than another structure in the body.
Distal
With reference to the extremities only, Refers to a structure being further away from the root of the limb than another structure in the body.