EMT Exam: Anatomy and Physiology - Anatomic Terminology

Positional terminology:

Fowler’s: Patient is seated with knees bent.
prone: Patient is lying on chest, facing down.
semi-Fowler’s: Patient is seated with legs straight.
shock: Patient is lying on back with legs raised off ground.
supine: Patient is lying on back, facing up.
Trendelenburg: Patient is lying on back with head lower than legs.

Directional terminology:
abduction: To move away from the body.
adduction: To move toward the body.
anterior: Toward the front of the body.
auxiliary line: Imaginary vertical line running through the body that separates the front and back halves.
bilateral: Both sides of the body.
contralateral: Opposite side of the body.
distal: Away from the trunk.
extension: Act of straightening an extremity.
flexion: Act of bending an extremity.
inferior: Toward the bottom of the body.
ipsilateral: Same side of the body.
lateral: Away from the midline.
medial: Toward the midline.
midline: Imaginary vertical line running through the body that separates the left and right halves.
nipple line: Imaginary horizontal line drawn across the nipple line of the chest.
palmar: Palm of the hand.
plantar: Bottom of the foot.
posterior: Toward the back of the body.
proximal: Toward the trunk of the body.
recovery: Patient is reclined on the left side to maintain a patent airway. The knees are slightly bent, and the arms and legs are crossed to help stabilize the position.
superior: Toward the top of the body.
umbilicus: Imaginary horizontal line drawn across the level of the abdomen.
unilateral: One side of the body.

Additional Topic to Review
- Common prefixes and suffixes used in medical terminology