Tech in Surgery Prep / Unit 3 TSC 053 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Directional Terms
The idea
Directional terms describe where one structure lies relative to another, and they come in opposite pairs.
In practice
Learn them as pairs. First, anterior, also called ventral, means toward the front, and posterior, or dorsal, means toward the back. Second, superior, or cranial, means above, toward the head, and inferior, or caudal, means below, toward the tail of the spine. Third, medial means toward the midline, and lateral means toward the side; the thumb is lateral to the other fingers. Fourth, proximal and distal are used on limbs: proximal is nearer the trunk, distal is farther away, so the upper arm is proximal to the forearm. Fifth, superficial means closer to the surface, and deep means farther from it; the skin is superficial to the bones.
Where people slip
Every term is relative. A structure is never deep on its own; it is deep to something, so listen for the reference point the surgeon names.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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