Regional and Directional Terms
Anatomic Position
When describing anatomy, the anatomic position is used as a neutral, standard position of reference. The body is viewed standing upright, feet hip-width apart; standing on tip-toes, with hands by your side, palms facing out.
Regional Terms
The human body’s numerous regions have specific terms to help increase precision. Notice that the term “brachium” or “arm” is reserved for the “upper arm,” and “antebrachium” or “forearm” is used rather than “lower arm.” Similarly, “femur” or “thigh” is correct, and “leg” or “crus” is reserved for the portion of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle. You will be able to describe the body’s regions using the terms from the anatomical position (Figure 2.1).
Directional Terms
Directional terms are essential for describing the relative locations of different body structures (Figure 2.2). For instance, an anatomist might describe one band of tissue as “inferior to” another, or a physician might describe a tumor as “superficial to” a deeper body structure. Below are terms, combining forms, definitions, and examples to help you learn and utilize directional terms.
Anterior (or Ventral)
Anter/o or ventr/o describes the front or direction toward the front of the body.
Example
Posterior (or Dorsal)
Poster/o or dors/o describes the back or direction toward the back of the body.
Example
Superior (or Cephalad)
Super/o describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper.
Example
Inferior (or Caudal)
Infer/o or caud/o describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column).
Example
Lateral
Later/o describes the side or direction toward the side of the body.
Example
Medial
Medi/o describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.
Example
Proximal
Proxim/o describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.
Example
Distal
Dist/o describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.
Example
Superficial
Superficial describes a position closer to the surface of the body or above.
Example
Deep
Deep describes a position farther from the surface of the body.
Example
Image Descriptions
Figure 2.1 image description: This illustration shows an anterior and posterior view of the human body. The cranial region encompasses the upper part of the head, while the facial region encompasses the lower half of the head beginning below the ears. The eyes are referred to as the ocular region. The cheeks are referred to as the buccal region. The ears are referred to as the auricle or otic region. The nose is referred to as the nasal region. The chin is referred to as the mental region. The neck is referred to as the cervical region. The trunk of the body contains, from superior to inferior, the thoracic region encompassing the chest, the mammary region encompassi