Medical Terminology, CH.3, Body Positions

Recumbent Position

Lying down in any position (also called decubitus position).

Prone Position

Lying on abdomen, facing downward. (Also called ventral recumbent position).

Trendelenburg Position

Lying on back with body tilted so that the head is lower than the feet.

Lithotomy Position

Lying on back with legs raised and feet in stirrups, hips and knees flexed, thighs abducted (away from the body) and externally rotated.

Supine Position

Lying on back, facing upward (also called dorsal recumbent position).

Sims Position

Lying on side in a semi-prone position with the knee drawn up toward the chest and the arm drawn behind parallel to the back. Right and left precede term. If not given, assumed left.

Lateral Recumbent Position

Lying on side; right and left precede the term to indicate the patient's side.

Fowler Position

Semi-sitting position with slight elevation of the knees.

Orthopnea Position

Sitting upright in a chair or in bed supported by pillows behind the back. Sometimes the patient tilts forward resting on a pillow supported by an abetted table (also called orthopneic position).