Anatomy Terminology

Front 1

Adjacent

Back 1

Next to, adjoining, or close to.

Front 2

Cranial

Back 2

Pertaining to the cranium or head end of the body or denoting a position more toward the cranium.

Front 3

Caudal

Back 3

Pertaining to the tail end of the body or denoting a position more toward the tail or rear of the body than some other reference point.

Front 4

Cephalic

Back 4

Pertaining to the head.

Front 5

Rostral

Back 5

Pertaining to the nose end of the head or toward the nose.

Front 6

Dorsal

Back 6

Pertaining to the back area of the quadruped or denoting a position more toward the back(upward)

Front 7

Ventral

Back 7

Pertaining to the belly or underside of a quadruped or denoting a position more toward the belly than some other reference point.

Front 8

Lateral

Back 8

Denoting a position farther away from the median plane of the body or of a structure, on the side or toward the side away from the median plane

Front 9

Medial

Back 9

a position closer to the median plane of the body or of a structure, toward the middle or median plane, or pertaining to the middle or a position closer to the median plane

Front 10

Oblique

Back 10

at an angle or pertaining to an angle

Front 11

Superficial

Back 11

Near the surface

Front 12

Deep

Back 12

Situated far beneath the surface

Front 13

Peripheral

Back 13

Pertaining to or situated near the outer areas or surface of the body or structure

Front 14

Proximal

Back 14

Nearest to the center of the body relative to another body part, or a location on a body part relative to another more distant location

Front 15

Distal

Back 15

farthest from the center of the body relative to another body part, or a location on a body part relatie to another closer location.

Front 16

Superior

Back 16

Above, directed above

Front 17

Inferior

Back 17

Below, underneath, directed below

Front 18

Caudal - Positional

Back 18

the back side of the leg above the carpus and tarsus

Front 19

Cranial - Positional

Back 19

the front side of the leg above the carpus and tarsus

Front 20

Dorsal- Positional

Back 20

the side of the leg opposite the palmer and plantar sides - the front side of the leg from the carpus and tarsus down(distally)

Front 21

Palmer(Volar)

Back 21

the caudal surface of the front leg from the carpus to the phalanges. This includes the bottom surface of the front foot.

Front 22

Plantar

Back 22

The caudal surface of the hind leg from the hock to the phalanges. This includes the bottom surface of the hind foot.

Front 23

Pronation

Back 23

turning the body or arm/leg so the ventral aspect of the body or palm is down

Front 24

Prone

Back 24

ventral recumbency

Front 25

Recumbent

Back 25

Lying down

Front 26

Supination

Back 26

turning the body/arm/leg so the ventral aspect of the body or palm is up

Front 27

Supine

Back 27

dorsal recumbency

Front 28

Abdominal

Back 28

pertaining to the abdomen

Front 29

Antebrachium

Back 29

the distal area of the front legs of an animal, below the elbow joint

Front 30

Appendicular

Back 30

related to the limbs and their attachments to the axis of the body

Front 31

Axial

Back 31

related to the head, neck, and trunk or torso, the axis of the body

Front 32

Axillary

Back 32

pertaining to the armpit area or on the medial aspect of where the front leg meets the torso

Front 33

Brachial

Back 33

pertaining to the proximal area of the front legs of an animal, above the elbow joint

Front 34

Cervical

Back 34

pertaining to the neck area, the cervical vertebrae(the first 7 vertebrae in the dog or cat) or the area around these vertebrae

Front 35

Coccygeal

Back 35

pertaining to the tail or vertebrae of the tail, the coccygeal vertebrae

Front 36

Crural

Back 36

pertaining to the rear legs of an animal

Front 37

Digital

Back 37

pertaining to the area of the foot where the animal's toes or toe bones, the phalanges are located

Front 38

Frontal

Back 38

pertaining to the forehead, or the area of the head above the eyes where the frontal bone and frontal sinuses are located

Front 39

Inguinal

Back 39

pertaining to the groin or the medial aspect of the rear leg where it is attached to the torso of the body

Front 40

Lumbar

Back 40

pertaining to the lumbar vertebrae(the part of the backbone between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum) or region around these vertebrae

Front 41

Orbital

Back 41

pertaining to the bony eye socket

Front 42

Patellar

Back 42

pertaining to the patella or knee cap

Front 43

Peritoneal

Back 43

the cavity inside the abdomen and the membrane that lines this cavity(the peritoneum).

Front 44

Pleural

Back 44

the cavity inside the chest and the membranes that line this cavity

Front 45

Popliteal

Back 45

the caudal area or back of the true knee, the stifle joint, where the popliteal lymph node is located.