A GLOSSARY

OF THE

INTERNATIONAL (B.N.A.)

ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY

GENERAL TERMS.

TERMS INDICATING SITUATION AND DIRECTION.

Referring to the long axis of the body.

Referring to the position of the long axis of the body in the erect posture.

Referring to the front and back of the body or the limbs.

(Referring to the anterior and posterior aspects, respectively, of
the body, and to the flexor and extensor aspects of the
limbs, respectively.

Referring to position nearer the head or the tail end of the long
axis. Used only in reference to parts of the head, neck,
or trunk.
Cephalic is sometimes used instead of cranial.
Used in reference to the head, neck, and trunk. Equivalent to
cranial and caudal respectively.

Used only in reference to the limbs. Proximal, nearer the
attached end. Distal, nearer the free end.

Used in reference to planes parallel with the sagittal suture of
the skull, i.e. vertical antero-posterior planes.
Used in reference to planes parallel with the coronal suture of
the skull, i.e. vertical transverse planes.

Used in reference to planes at right angles to vertical planes.
Referring to the median vertical antero-posterior plane of the
body.

Referring to structures relatively nearer to or further away from the median plane.

Referring to structures situated between more medial and more lateral structures.

Referring to structures nearer to and further away from the

surface.

Referring, with few exceptions, to the walls of cavities and
hollow organs.
Not to be used as synonymous with
medial and lateral.

Used in reference to the medial and lateral borders, respectively,

of the forearm and hand.

Used in reference to the medial and lateral borders, respectively, of the leg and foot.