Dictionary

supine With the back or dorsal surface downward (lying face up), as opposed to prone.

transverse A horizontal plane that passes through the standing body parallel to the ground.

ventral Pertaining to the abdomen, as opposed to dorsal.

internal Situated on the inside.

intra prefix indicating within.

midline An imaginary line down the middle of.

valgus Deformed outward from midline. Opposite of varus.

varus Deformed inward toward midline. Opposite of valgus.

anterior The front, as opposed to posterior. For example, the breastbone is part of the anterior surface of the chest.

anteroposterior From front to back, as opposed to posteroanterior. Abbreviated AP. For example, when a chest X-ray is taken with the patient’s back against the film plate and the X-ray machine in front of the patient, it is referred to as an AP view.

caudad Toward the feet (or tail, in embryology), as opposed to cranial.

cranial Toward the head, as opposed to caudad.