Front | Back |
Superior
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Part above another part
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Inferior
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Part below another part
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Anterior
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Toward the front
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Posterior
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Towards the back. Opposite of Anterior
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Medial
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Imaginary midline dividing the body into equal right and left halves. Ex. The nose is medial to the eyes.
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Lateral
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Toward the side with respect to the imaginary midline. EX. The ears are lateral to to the eyes
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Bilateral
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Refers to paired structures, one on each side. EX. The lungs are bilateral
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Ipsilateral
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Refers to structures on the same side. EX. The right lung and Right kidney are Ipsilateral.
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Contralateral
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Refers to structures on the opposite side. EX. A patient with a fractured right leg would have to bear weight on the contralateral- in this case the left lower limb.
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Proximal
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Describes a part closer to the trunk of the body or closer to another specified point of reference. EX. The elbow is proximal to the wrist.
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Distal
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Opposite of proximal. part is fartther away from another specified point of reference. EX. The fingers are distal to the wrist.
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Superficial
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Means near the surface. EX. The epidermis is the superficial layer of the skin.
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Peripheral
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Also means ouward or near the surface. EX. The nerves that brance from the brain and spinal cord are peripheral nerves.
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Deep
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Describes more internal parts. EX. The dermis is the deep layer of the skin.
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Sagittal
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Refers to a lengthwise cut that divides the body into right and left portions.
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