1. Introduction to Veterinary Medical Terminology
DIRECTIONAL TERMS

2. Outline
Simon Says
Directional Terms
Review Worksheets
Pop Quiz

3. Common Terms for Body Parts
Head - cranium
Neck - cervical
Trunk - thorax
Body - Soma
Belly - abdomen
Front/back leg - front/hind; extremities
Paw - carpus/tarsus, metacarpus/metatarsus, phalanges

4. Word Structure: Root Word
Definition - the foundation of the word
Example:
Anterior - RW = Ante -
meaning: pertaining to the front
Posterior - RW = Post -
meaning: pertaining to the rear
Cranial - RW = Crani - (from the L. word cranium)
meaning: pertaining to the head, skull

5. Root Words Crani -pertaining to the head Rostr- pertaining to the nose
(L. cranium)
Rostr- pertaining to the nose
(L. rostrum)
Cauda - pertaining to the tail
(L. cauda)

6. Root Words Dors - pertaining to the back
(L. dorsum)
Ventr- pertaining to the belly
(L. ventrum)
Palm - pertaining to the palm (humans) or sole of the forefeet (animals)
Plant - pertaining to the sole of the hindfeet

7. Root Words Later/al - pertaining to the side
(L. laterus)
Medi/al - pertaining to the middle
Post - pertaining to the rear
Remember: The key to using directional terminology appropriately is to use a suitable point of reference.

8. Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E
Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E. Christenson

9. Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E
Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E. Christenson

10. Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E
Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E. Christenson

11. Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E
Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E. Christenson

12. Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E
Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E. Christenson

13. Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E
Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E. Christenson

14. Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E
Source: Veterinary Medical Terminology, 2nd edition by Dawn E. Christenson

15. Activity on Directional Terms
Identify the following in your pet/partner/self
Cranial, rostral
Cranial, caudal
Dorsal, ventral
Proximal, distal
Dorsal, palmar
Dorsal, plantar
Lateral, medial
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