Category: Anatomical Terminology

Concave and Convex are terms used to identify different curvatures Concave describes shapes that curve inward Convex describes shapes that curve outward

Proximal and Distal are used to describe the position of a structure with reference to its origin Proximal is closer to origin Distal is further from origin Example: The ankle is distal to the knee; the elbow is proximal to the wrist

Contralateral and Ipsilateral are terms that refer to a given side: Ipsilateral occurs on the same side Contralateral occurs on the opposite side

Cephalad and Caudad are terms used to differentiate between “head end” and “tail end” Cephalad refers to the “head end” (thinking of microencephaly can help you remember which end!) Caudad refers to the “tail end”

Medial and Lateral parts of the body are divided by the sagittal plane Medial refers to a position that is closer to mid line – think M middle! Lateral refers to a position that is further from midline Example: The eyes are lateral to the nose, and the eyes are medial […]

In order to understand the usage of different anatomical terms, it is important to understand the anatomical position – the position in which all anatomical descriptions are relative to this position (e.g. the thumb is lateral to the index finger…always).  Anatomical Position Is: Body standing upright with feet together. Arms […]

Anterior and Posterior parts are divided by the coronal plane Anterior is equivalent to the term ventral. Posterior is equivalent to the term dorsal. Examples The patella is located on the anterior side of the leg The olecranon is located on the posterior side of the arm

Supine position refers to the patient lying horizontally with the face and torso facing up Prone position refers to the patient lying horizontally with their face down.