Pre arrival task: Anatomical Position

Structures further toward the front of the body

These directions also ‘ventral’

Ex: sternum is anterior to the spine because it lies in front of it

Structures further toward the back of the body

These directions also ‘dorsal’

Ex: the spine is posterior to the sternum because it lies behind it

Structures closer to the midline of the body

Ex: the nose is medial to the ears, closer to midline in comparison to the ears

Structures further away from the midline of the body

Ex: the ears are lateral to the nose

Structure closer to the head

Ex: the shoulders are superior to the knee

These direction also ‘cranial’ like cranium

Structure closer to the feet

Ex: the knees are inferior to the shoulders

This direction also ‘caudal’ like tail/floor

Inside or closer to the centre of the organ or cavity

Outside or further from the centre of an organ or cavity

Designates a structure closer to the trunk

Ex: the elbow is proximal to the wrist

Structure further away from the trunk of body’s midline

Ex: the ankle is distal to the knee

Involving one side of the body

Ex: unilateral rash on the right upper extremity means rash only on right upper side

Involving both sides of the body

Ex: rash on upper extremities bilaterally means rash on both upper sides of arms for example

On opposite sides of the body

Ex: two lacerations on different arms mean the injuries are contralateral

On the same side of the body

Ex: having two injuries on the same arm, the injuries will be ipsilateral to each other

Structure closer to the body’s surface

Ex: the pectoralis major muscle is superficial to the ribs

Structure deeper in the body

Ex: the ribs are deep to the pectoralis major

Refers to palm or anterior surface of the hand

Ex: palm of my hand

Refers to the sole of the foot

Ex: underside of your foot

Refers to the backside, the posterior surface of the human body in anatomical position

Ex: the top of a foot, back of your hand

Refers to horizontal position with the face and upper body up

Ex: lying on your back

Refers to horizontal position with the face and upper body facing down

Ex: lying on your stomach

Refers to the back splice of the body

Same as posterior

Refers to the front splice of the body

Same as anterior