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.