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LESSON 3
DIRECTIONAL AND ANATOMICAL TERMS
Science, as a whole, uses directional terms to show the direction from a reference
point. These terms are used so all will know exactly to what direction an area of
the body is being referred. They are exact directions intended to be followed in
the format they are written. For example, cephal means head and caudal means
tail, two terms showing direction of reference. Cephal caudal means from head to
tail with the reference point starting at the head and moving toward the tail of the
body.
Directional terms are read differently than other medical terms. We go back to the
way we use English with directional terms and read them from front to back.
EXAMPLES:
anteroposterior
=
Front to back or referring to the front and the
back
superoanterior
=
Above and to the front or referring to the above
and front or towards the above and front.
inferoposterior
=
Below and to the back or referring to the below
and back or towards below and to the back.
dorsoventral
=
Back side to belly side or back side and belly
side or towards the back and belly sides.
mediolateral
=
Middle of the side or towards the middle of the
side
The endings that mean pertaining to or referring to are used to show direction,
usually towards a structure, as in the following:
Cephalic
=
Renal
=
Anterior
Posterior
Lateral
Medial
midline.
=
=
=
=
Towards the head, because the cephalic artery is in the neck
and moves blood into the head or it may be read, pertaining to
the head.
Towards the kidney, because the renal artery comes off the
aorta and moves blood to the kidney or may be read,
pertaining to the kidney
May be read as, towards the front or pertaining to the front.
May be read as, towards the back or pertaining to the back
May be read as, toward the side or pertaining to the side.
May be read as, towards the midline or pertaining to the
Some commonly used directional terms are as follows:
Term
Definition
cephal
cephalad
cephalic
cauda
caudad
caudal
lateral
laterad
medial
mediad
ventral
ventrad
ventralis
dorsal
dorsad
dorsalis
distal
proximal
superior
inferior
anterior
posterior
dexter
sinister
PREFIXES
ant-, antedextrpostpreprosinister
sup, super
before, front
right
after
before
before
left side
above, top
SUFFIXES
-ab
away from
-ad
towards
-ior
pertaining to
head
towards the head
pertaining to the head, or towards the head
tail
towards the tail
pertaining to the tail
pertaining to the side of body or towards the side
towards the side
pertaining to middle of midline of body or towards the
midline
towards the midline
pertaining to belly side of body
towards the belly side
close to the belly side
back side of body or towards the backside
towards the back side
close to the back side
away from the point of origin or away from the
beginning of a body structure
close to the point of origin or near the beginning of a
body structure
situated above or towards the top of the body
situated below or towards the bottom of the body
situated in front of or towards the front of the body
situated behind of towards the back of the body
right side of body, on right side
left side of body, on left side
COMBINING FORMS
anter/o
caud/o
cephal/o
root)
dextr/o
dist/o
dors/o
infer/o
later/o
medi/o
meso/
poster/o
proxim/o
sinistr/o
super/o
ventr/o
front
tail
head (note: not towards the head because the al is a part of the word
right
away from point of origin
back side
below
side
middle
middle
back, behind
near point of origin
left
above
belly side
DIRECTIONAL TERMS
anteroposterior
and back
bilateral
deep
dexter
dextrad
dextral
superficial
supine
prone
sinister
sinistral
sinistrad
unilateral
mediolateral
middle side
posteroanterior
&
pertaining to the front and the back or towards front
pertaining to the two sides
away from the surface
right or right side of body
towards the right side
pertaining to the right side
near or on the surface
lying on the back with face pointed upwards
lying on belly with face pointed downwards
left or left side of body
pertaining to the left side or towards the left
towards left side of body
pertaining to one side
pertaining to the middle and one side or towards
pertaining to the back and to the front or towards back
front
NOTE: Any directional term may be used together to give direction to medical
procedures.
ANATOMICAL PLANES
Planes are imaginary flat surfaces that give a point of reference to identifying the
position of parts of the body and how a body should be positioned. These terms
are not built from word parts so their meanings must be memorized. Anatomical
planes include:
Frontal or coronal plane
A vertical plane that divides the body from side to side into a
posterior and anterior position.
Sagittal plane
A vertical plane that divides the body into left and right sides.
Midsagittal would divide a body into two equal left and right sides.
Transverse plane
A horizontal plane that runs parallel to the ground dividing the body
into upper and lower positions. It is sometimes called a crosssectional plane.
ANATOMICAL ABDOMINAL REGIONS
To help medical personnel describe diagnosis correctly, anatomical/abdominal
regions have been set up. Again, these are not made up from word parts so
learning these regions is done with memorization.
Hypochondriac
Lumbar
Iliac
Epigastric
Hypochondriac
Umbilical
Lumbar
Hypogastric
Iliac
Region
Definition
umbilical
(um-bil-i-cal)
epigastric
(epi-gas-trik)
hypogastric
(hy-po-gas-trik)
hypochondriac
(hi-po-kon-dre-ak)
lumbar
center of abdomen around the naval or umbiluous
upper center, directly above the umbilical region
lower center, directly below the umbilical region
left and right of the epigastric region
left and right sides of the umbilical region
(lum-bar)
iliac
(il-e-ak)
left and right sides of the hypogastric region
ANATOMICAL ABDOMINAL QUADRANTS
In addition to the regions, many medical personnel will use the four anatomical
abdominal quadrants. These must be memorized. The center of the quadrants is
the navel.
right upper quadrant
left upper quadrant
(to the right and
(to the left and
above the navel)
above the navel)
________________________NAVEL______________________________
right lower quadrant
(to the right and
below the navel)
right lower quadrant
(to the right and
below the navel)
BODY CAVITIES
The body has many cavities within its structure. Each of these cavities holds vital
internal organs of the human body.
Cranial cavity
the
the chamber inside the skull holding the main parts of
brain
Spinal cavity
spinal cord
the chamber inside the spinal column holding the
Thoracic cavity
the chamber where the heart, lungs, bronchi, trachea,
and esophagus are located.
Abdominal cavity
the chamber where the stomach, intestines, gall
bladder, liver, spleen, kidneys and ureters are located.
Pelvic cavity
the chamber where the urinary bladder, rectum,
reproductive organs and the last part of the large
intestines are located.
LESSON 3 GRAPHICS
WORD LIST FOR LESSON 3
abdominal cavity
anterior
anteroposterior
anterolateral
anteromedid
anterosuperior
bilateral
caudal
caudad
cephal
cephalad
cephalic
cephalocaudal
cephalocaudad
cephalodorsal
cephalodorsad
coronal plane
cranial cavity
dextrad
dextral
dextrolateral
dextrolateral sagittal
distaldorsal
dorsad
dorsalis
dorsocephal
dorsocephalad
dorsoventral
dorsoventrad
epigastric
frontal plane
hypogastric
hypochondriac
inferior
inferolateral
inferomedad
iliac
lateral
lateromedial
laterad
lumbar
medial
mediad
mediolateral
mediolateralsagittal
midsagittal
posterior
posteroanterior
posterosuperior
posteromedial
proximal
sagittal
sinister
sinistrad
sinistral
sinistromid
sinistromid-sagittal
superolateral
superomedial
superoanterial
superoposterior
transverse
unilateral
ventral
ventrad
ventrodorsal
ventrodorsad
ventrolateral
ventrocaudad
ventralis
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR LESSON 3
DEFINE THE FOLLOWING PREFIXES:
ant-, antepostpreprosup, super-, supraadinWRITE THE COMBINING FORM FOR THE FOLLOWING:
side
middle
above
middle
head
tail
belly side
back side
front
back, behind
near point of origin
away from point of origin
right
left
MATCHING
___ caudal
___ caudad
___ cephalic
___ anterior
___ anterior posterior
___ lateral
___ bilateral
___ unilateral
___ distal
___ proximal
___ ventral
___ dorsal
___ dorsad
___ ventralis
___ posterioranterior
___ superior
___ inferior
___ mediolateral
___ ventrad
___ mediad
DEFINE:
anterior
posterior
superior
cephalic
cephad
dorsalis
anteroposterior
inferior
ventrad
proximal
distal
mediad
caudal
laterad
unilateral
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
pertaining to the side
pertaining to the front and back
towards the top part
towards the back and front
pertaining to the back side
pertaining to the belly side
pertaining to one side
pertaining to the middle and side
towards the belly side
towards the head
pertaining to below
towards the midline
towards both sides
pertaining to the tail
towards the tail
away from the point of origin
close to the point of origin
pertaining to the front
closest to the belly side
towards the back side
MATCHING
___frontal plane
___sagittal plane
___medisagittal plane
a
vertical plane passing from side to side
b
into anterior and posterior sections
vertical plane passing from front to back
___transverse plane
___mediolaterosagittal plane
___dextrolaterosagittal plane
through the middle of one side of body
vertical plane through midline of body
dividing body from front to back
c
___sinistrolateromediosagittal
d
vertical plane dividing body into unequal
portions
e
f
horizontal plane dividing body into two
portions, upper and bottom
right side vertical plane from front to
g
left side middle vertical plane from front
back
to
back
WRITE THE MEDICAL TERM FOR THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS:
side
____________
tail
below
behind, back
middle
belly side
back side
right
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
left
head
front
above
away from point of origin
near point of origin
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
PROVIDE THE DEFINITION FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING AND LIST
THE ORGANS THAT ARE INSIDE EACH CAVITY.
Cranial cavity:
Spinal cavity:
Thoracic cavity:
Abdominal cavity:
Pelvic cavity:
FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE CORRECT TERM FOR THE ABDOMINAL
REGIONS IN ORDER TO MATCH UP THE CORRESPONDING NUMBERS:
1
2
3
1
right ________________
4
5
6
2
______________________
7
8
9
3
left ___________________
4
right __________________
5
______________________
6
left ___________________
7
right __________________
8
______________________
9
left ___________________
WRITE IN THE SPACES TO THE RIGHT THE NAMES OF EACH OF THE
QUADRANTS NUMBERED TO THE LEFT:
4
3
1
_________________
2
1
2
_________________
3
_________________
4
_________________
MATCHING
-------------------------------
epigastric
iliac
lumbar
umbilical
hypogastric
hypochondriac
right upper
left lower
right lower
left upper
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
the quadrant to the left and superior to navel
the region left and right of the hypogastric
the region directly above the umbilical region
the region to the left and right of the epigastric
the quadrant right and inferior to the navel
the region around the navel
the quadrant to the right and superior to navel
the region directly below the umbilical region
the region left and right of the umbilical region
the quadrant to the left and inferior to navel
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Select one answer for each of the following.
Which of the following words means away from the origin or point of attachment?
a
b
c
d
anterior
posterior
proximal
distal
Dorsocephalad means situated:
a
b
c
d
toward one side of the head
toward the front of the head
toward the back of the head
toward the middle of the head
How does a transverse plane divide the body?
a
b
c
d
in front and back portions
into upper and lower portions
in equal right and left halves
in unequal right and left portions
A midsagittal plane divides the body into:
a
b
c
d
front and back portions
upper and lower portions
equal right and left halves
unequal right and left portions
Dorsodynia means:
a
b
c
d
an earache
a backache
a toothache
a headache
Dactylitis can mean inflammation of all the following except:
a
b
c
d
finger
toe
eye
digit
The suffix “-itis” means:
a
b
c
d
any disease
a condition
an inflammation
pain
Which word means pertaining to the tail or a tail-like structure?
a
b
c
proximal
plantar
palmar
d
caudal
Nearest the point of origin is:
a
b
c
d
proximal
plantar
palmar
caudal
Divisions of the abdomen that are determined by drawing an imaginary vertical
and a hortizontal line through the umbilicus are called:
a
b
c
d
hypochondriacs
epigastrics
inguinals
quadrants
What does “ventral” mean?
a
b
c
d
front
back
belly side
side
Lateral means:
a
b
c
d
front
back
belly
side
Mediolateral pertains to:
a
b
c
d
the middle of the back
the middle and one side
the back and one side
the front and one side
Inferior means:
a
b
above
below
c
d
beyond
near
Which of the following words means “near the origin?”
a
b
c
d
proximal
distal
medial
lateral
How does a frontal plane divide the body?
a
b
c
d
into upper and lower portions
into anterior and posterior portions
into equal right and left halves
into unequal right and left portions
How does a sagittal plane divide the body?
a
b
c
d
into upper and lower portions
into anterior and posterior portions
into equal right and left halves
into unequal right and left portions
Dorsoventral means:
a
b
c
d
pertaining to both sides
pertaining to only one side
passing from the back to the belly surface
situated on the back and to one side
Unilateral means:
a
b
c
d
pertaining to both sides
pertaining to only one side
passing from the back to the belly surface
situated on the back and to one side
The suffix -osis- may mean all but which of the following?
a
b
c
body
abnormal increase
condition
d
disease
Posteromedial means:
a
b
c
d
in front and below
in front and above
behind and below
behind and in the middle
Anterosuperior means:
a
b
c
d
in front and below
in front and above
behind and below
behind and in the middle
The abdominal region that is positioned in the very center is called the:
a
b
c
d
epigastrics
inguinals
umbilical
hypochondriacs
Posteroanterior means:
a
b
c
d
front and both sides
both front and back
from front to back
from back to front
In humans, the anterior aspect is the same as which of the following?
a
b
c
d
posterior
dorsal
ventral
lateral
Anteroposterior pertains to:
a
b
c
the front and back
the front and outside
the back and inside
d
the inside and outside
What is the dorsal side of all organisms?
a
b
c
d
the front side
the back side
the belly side
the top side
Dorsolateral pertains to:
a
b
c
d
the middle of the front
the middle of the back
towards one side of the front
towards one side of the back
Bilateral pertains to:
a
b
c
d
one side of the body
both sides of the body
a position near the front
a position near the back
Medial means:
a
b
c
d
front
back
middle
side
Superficial means:
a
b
c
d
nearby
on or near the surface
on or near the back
on or near the front
If an organ is inferior to the stomach, the organ is said to be:
a
b
c
below the stomach
above the stomach
within the stomach
d
to one side of the stomach
Proximal means:
a
b
c
d
above the point of origin
below the point of origin
near the point of origin
far from the point of origin
THE FOLLOWING WORDS ARE MISSPELLED. WRITE THE CORRECT
SPELLING.
medsagital
anteriurposterior
dexlateral
sinislateral
dorsalad
ventralas
postereoanterior
umbilial
hyperchrondriac
hypergastric
cephodynia
caudalad
MARK THE WORD ROOT IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:
cephalodynia
dextrolumbar
MATCHING:
___ the upper lateral regions beneath the ribs
___ the two lower lateral regions
___ the region that lies on each side of the centermost division
___ the lower middle region
___ the upper middle region
hypogastric
___ the upper middle region that contains the naval
hypochondria
a epigastric
b umbilical
c lumbar
d iliac
e
f
ASSIGNMENT FOR LESSON 3
Medical Terminology, HS 280
Directional Terms, Anatomical
DEFINE THE FOLLOWING:
Body Directional Terms
1
cephalic
2
superior
3
caudal
4
inferior
5
anterior
6
ventral
7
posterior
8
dorsal
9
medial
10
lateral
11
distal
12
proximal
Anatomical Planes
13
frontal
14
coronal
15
plane
16
sagittal plane
17
transverse plane
Anatomical Regions
18
umbilical
19
epigastric
Assignment for Lesson 3, Directional, pg. 2
20
hypograstric
21
hypochondriac
22
lumbar
23
iliac
Additional Terms (The use of a medical dictionary may be necessary to answer)
24
extension
25
flexion
26
afferent
27
efferent
28
plantar
29
palmar
30
prone
31
supine
32
deep
33
superficial
34
adduction
35
abduction
36
eversion
37
inversion
38
bilateral
39
unilateral
WRITING TERMS.
Combining form
40
dors/o
41
medi/o
Basic meaning
42
dist/o
43
caud/o
44
ventr/o
45
cephal/o
46
infer/o
47
poster/o
48
super/o
49
proxim/o
50
later/o
51
anter/o