Definitions
This page is designated for the scientific terms and definitions that come up throughout this website that are not defined elsewhere.
Body regions
Abdomen
Description includes: lumbar, core, belly, trunk
The area of the belly and lower trunk between the thorax and pelvis. Terms that describe the abdomen or areas of the abdomen include:
- Lumbar: describing the region of the lower back
- L1 through L5: the bones of the Lumbar spine (L1, L2, L3, etc.)
- Abdominal: describing the area of the abdomen
- Core: muscles in the abdominal region that support and stabilize the lumbar spine
Arm
When used in gross anatomy, the arm refers to the upper portion of the upper extremity between your shoulder and elbow; namely, a bone called the humerus. The term brachium (p. brachii) also describes the arm.
Forearm
When used in gross anatomy, the forearm refers to the lower portion of your upper extremity between your elbow and wrist; namely, bones called the radius and ulna.
Head
Description includes: capitis, occipital
The bones of the skull, face, and jaw. Terms that describe areas of the skull include:
- Capitis: Latin term meaning head or skull
- Occipital: the bone at the base of your skull that attaches to the neck
Leg
When used in gross anatomy, the leg refers to the lower portion of your lower extremity between your knee and ankle; namely, bones called the tibia and fibula.
Neck
Description includes: cervical, C1-C7, nuchal
The area between your head and shoulders. Terms that describe the neck or areas of the neck include:
- Cervical: describing region of the neck
- C1 through C7: the bones of the Cervical spine (C1, C2, C3, etc.)
- Nuchal: Latin term for the back of the neck
Pelvis
Description includes: pelvic, ilium, ischium, pubis, sacroiliac, sacrum, gluteal, buttocks
The large collection of bones at the base of the spine where the lower extremities attach (at the hip joint). Many people use the term “hips” to describe regions of the pelvis. Anatomically speaking, the hips are the joints where the femurs (thigh bones) attach to the pelvis.
- The pelvis is made of 3 fused bones on each side: the ilium, ischium, and pubis
- The sacrum is the last weight-bearing bone of the spinal column and sits between the 2 halves of the pelvis on the back side to form the sacroiliac joints.
- Gluteal: describing the buttocks or back side of the pelvis.
Thigh
When used in gross anatomy, the thigh refers to the upper portion of the lower extremity between your hip and knee; namely, a bone called the femur.
Thorax
Description includes: thoracic, chest, midback, upper back
The area of the chest and upper trunk between the neck and abdomen. Terms that describe the thorax or areas of the thorax include:
- Thoracic: describing the region of the thorax
- T1 through T12: the bones of the Thoracic spine (T1, T2, T3, etc.)
- Chest: the front portion of the thorax
Positional indicators
Anterior
Opposite: posterior
The front of the body (e.g., your chest on the anterior aspect of your body).
Deep
Opposite: superficial
Further to the inside of the body; beneath (e.g., in your body, your bones are deep to your muscles and skin)
Distal
Opposite: proximal
Most often used in the extremities (arms and legs), distal references an area that is further from the center of the body or point of attachment (e.g. your hands are distal to your shoulders).
Dorsal
Opposite: ventral
In humans, this term references the back of your body (for four-legged animals, the dorsal surface would be the top). This word is found in the muscle, latissimus dorsi and the ankle movement of dorsiflexion.
Inferior
Opposite: superior
Below or lower than, in reference to the body in anatomical position (e.g., your feet are the most inferior parts of your body).
Lateral
Opposite: medial
Outward, away from the midline of your body (e.g. your shoulders are lateral to your spine).
Medial
Opposite: lateral
Inward, closer to the midline of the body (e.g. your spine is medial to your shoulders).
Posterior
Opposite: anterior
The back of the body (e.g., your shoulder blades are on the posterior aspect of your body).
Prone
Opposite: supine
In reference to the whole body, prone means lying on your belly or lying face-down.
Proximal
Opposite: distal
Most often used in the extremities (arms and legs), proximal references an area that is closer to the center of the body or point of attachment (e.g. your shoulders are proximal to your hands).
Superficial
Opposite: deep
Closer to the surface of the body; above (e.g., in your body, your skin is superficial to your muscles and bones).
Superior
Opposite: inferior
Above or higher than, in reference to the body in anatomical position (e.g., the head is the most superior part of your body).
Supine
Opposite: prone
In reference to the whole body, supine means lying on your back or lying face-up.
Ventral
Opposite: dorsal
In humans, this term references the front of your body (for four-legged animals, the ventral surface would be the underside or bottom surface).
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