Anatomical Terminology
Medicine needs to describe location without ambiguity — “above the elbow” is useless if you do not know how the body is oriented. So anatomists agreed on a standard starting posture, the anatomical position, and a set of paired directional terms measured from it: anterior and posterior, proximal and distal, medial and lateral. Add the three planes that slice the body and you can pinpoint anything precisely. This final set makes that language second nature.
Practice this set for free — no account needed. Loads 15 flashcards into the learner.
Practice in the free learnerHow to study this set
Always learn the terms in their opposite pairs — anterior/posterior, superior/inferior, proximal/distal — because each only means something against its partner. Picture the anatomical position (standing, palms forward) as you answer; every term is defined from it.
All 15 flashcards
What is the “anatomical position”?
The standard reference posture: standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides with the palms turned forward
Every directional term is defined relative to this position.
What does “anterior” mean?
Toward the front of the body
Its opposite is posterior (toward the back).
What does “posterior” mean?
Toward the back of the body
What does “superior” mean?
Above, or toward the head
Its opposite is inferior (below, toward the feet).
What does “inferior” mean?
Below, or toward the feet
What does “proximal” mean?
Closer to the trunk or the point of attachment of a limb
For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
What does “distal” mean?
Farther from the trunk or the point of attachment of a limb
For example, the fingers are distal to the wrist.
What does “medial” mean?
Toward the midline of the body
What does “lateral” mean?
Away from the midline, toward the side of the body
What does “superficial” mean?
Nearer to the surface of the body
Its opposite is deep (farther from the surface).
What is the “sagittal plane”?
A vertical plane dividing the body into left and right parts
What is the “coronal (frontal) plane”?
A vertical plane dividing the body into front and back parts
What is the “transverse plane”?
A horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower parts
What does the “prone” position mean?
Lying face down
Its opposite is supine (lying face up).
What does the “supine” position mean?
Lying face up
What to learn next
That completes the Anatomy path — systems, bones, and the terminology that ties them together. Keep all three decks in your review rotation so the names stay sharp, and explore the other subjects to keep the momentum going.