1. Chapter 3: Directional Terms, Planes, Positions, Regions, and Quadrants
Medical Terminology

2. Chapter 3 Abbreviations
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abn
abd AP
CXR
L, LT
= Less than = Greater than = Increase = Decrease = Abnormal = Abdomen = Anteroposterior (x-ray) = Chest x-ray = left

3. Chapter 3 Abbreviations
LAT
LLQ
LUQ PA
R, RT
RLQ
RUQ
trans
= Lateral = Left lower quadrant = Left upper quadrant = Posteroanterior (x-ray) = Right = Right lower quadrant = Right upper quadrant = transverse

4. Chapter 3 Abbreviations
HPI
postop
Preop
Prep
S/P or s/p
Gm,gm mg
= History of present illness
= Postoperative
= Preoperative
= Prepare for
= Status post
= gram
= milligram

5. Directional Terms Anatomical Position
Body is viewed as standing erect, arms at the side, palms of the hands facing forward, and feet placed side by side

6. Word Parts for Directional Terms
Combining Form
Definition
anter/o
caud/o
cephal/o
dist/o
dors/o
infer/o
later/o
front
tail (downward)
head(upward)
away(from the point of attachment of a body part)
back
below
side

7. Word Parts for Directional Terms
Combining Form
Definition
medi/o
poster/o
proxim/o
super/o
ventr/o
middle
back/behind
near (the point of attachment of a body part)
above
belly (front)

8. Word Parts for Directional Terms
Prefix
Definition
bi-
uni-
two
one
Definition
Suffix
-ior, –ac,
-ar, -ary,
-eal, -otic
pertaining to

9. Directional Terms lateral (lat) medial (med) pertaining to a side
pertaining to the middle

10. Directional Terms Proximal Distal
Pertaining to near (to the point of attachment)
Distal
Pertaining to away (from the point of attachment)

11. Directional Terms inferior (inf) caudal superior (sup) cephalic
Pertaining to below
caudal
pertaining to the tail
superior (sup)
pertaining to above
cephalic
pertaining to the head

12. Directional Terms anterior (ant) ventral posterior dorsal
Pertaining to the front
ventral
pertaining to the belly
posterior
pertaining to the back
dorsal

13. Directional Terms anteroposterior (AP) posteroanterior (PA)
pertaining to the front and to the back
posteroanterior (PA)
pertaining to the back and to the front

14. Anotomic Planes
Planes are imaginary flat fields used as points of reference
Frequently used in diagnostic
imaging and surgery

15. Anatomic Planes Frontal (Coronal)
Vertical field passing through the body from side to side, dividing the body into anterior and posterior

16. Anatomic Planes Midsagittal
Vertical field running through the body from front to back at the midline, dividing the body equally into right and left halves

17. Anatomic Planes Parasagittal Sagittal
Vertical field running through the body from front to back, dividing the body into unequal left and right sides
Sagittal
Vertical field running through the body from front to back, dividing the body into right and left sides (any plane parallel to the midsagittal plane)

18. Anatomic Planes Transverse
Horizontal field dividing the body into superior and inferior portions

19. Anatomic Planes

20. Body Positions Fowler position
Semi-sitting position with slight elevation of the knees

21. Body Positions
Prone
Lying on abdomen, facing downward (head may be turned to one side)

22. Body Positions
Supine
Lying on back, facing upward

23. Abdominopelvic Regions
Umbilical region (1)
Around the navel
Lumbar regions (2)
To the right/left of the umbilical region, near the waist
Epigastric region (1)
Superior to the umbilical region, generally above the stomach

24. Abdominopelvic Regions
Hypochondriach regions (2)
To the right/left of the epigastric region
Hypogastric region (1)
Inferior to the umbilical region
Iliac regions (2)
To the right/left of the hypogastric region, near the groin

25. Diagram(s) Planes Directionals Midsagittal Frontal Transverse
Lateral/Medial
Anterior/Posterior
Proximal/Distal
Superior/Inferior