Anatomy terms illustrated

Anatomical terminology

One reason doctors use medical jargon is specificity – knowing exactly what other doctors mean when referring to a body part, its direction and the angle it is viewed from. Here is a look at body regions, directional terms and planes of view.

Regions

Cephalic (head)
Cranial
Cervical (neck)
Upper limb
Brachial (arm)
Anti-brachial (forearm)
Axilla (armpit)
Carpal (wrist)
Palmar
Abdominal
Tarsal (ankle)
Plantar (bottom of foot)
Sural (calf)
Lumbar Sacral
Facial
Thoracic
Mammary
Umbilical
Inguinal
Pubic
Patellar (knee cap)
Lower limb
Femoral (thigh)
Crural (leg)

Directions

Posterior (back)
Anterior (front)
Proximal (near)
Distal (far)
Superior (above)
Medial (toward center)
Lateral (away from center)
Inferior (below)
Superficial (external)
Deep (internal)

Planes of view

Frontal
Sagittal
Transverse (horizontal)

Text and illustrations by Kevin T. Boyd

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Acupressure can help body aches
For a list of acupressure points, visit PointFinder.org. Click or touch the area that aches.
If this is your first time, please read the instructions. Don’t use acupressure to replace standard emergency procedures or licensed medical treatment. If you are seriously injured or have acute symptoms seek urgent medical treatment.

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