Terms Indicating Direction Relative to Body Axes:
- Anterior (front)
- Externus (superficial)
- Extrinsic (outside)
- Inferioris (inferior)
- Internus (deep, internal)
- Intrinsic (inside)
- Lateralis (lateral)
- Medialis/Medius (medial, middle)
- Obliquus (oblique)
- Posterior (back)
- Profundus (deep)
- Rectus (straight, parallel)
- Superficialis (superficial)
- Superioris (superior)
- Transversus (transverse)
Terms Indicating Specific Regions:
- Abdominus (abdomen)
- Anconeus (elbow)
- Auricularis (auricle of the ear)
- Brachialis (brachium)
- Capitis (head)
- Carpi (wrist)
- Cervicis (neck)
- Cleido/clavius (clavicle)
- Coccygeus (coccyx)
- Costalis (ribs)
- Cutaneous (skin)
- Femoris (femur)
- Genio- (chin)
- Glosso/glossal (tongue)
- Hallucis (great toe)
- Ilio- (ilium)
- Inguinal (groin)
- Lumborum (lumbar region)
- Nasalis (nose)
- Nuchal (back of the neck)
- Oculo- (eye)
- Oris (mouth)
- Palpebrae (eyelid)
- Pollicis (thumb)
- Popliteus (behind the knee)
- Psoas (loin)
- Radialis (radius)
- Scapularis (scapula)
- Temporalis (temples)
- Thoracis (thoracic region)
- Tibialis (tibia)
- Ulnaris (ulna)
- Uro- (urinary)
Terms Indicating Structural Characteristics:
Origin:
- Biceps (two heads)
- Triceps (three heads)
- Quadriceps (four heads)
Terms Indicating Shape, Size, and Color:
- Alba (white)
- Brevis (short)
- Deltoid (triangle)
- Gracilis (slender)
- Lata (wide)
- Latissimus (widest)
- Longus (long)
- Magnus (large)
- Major (larger)
- Maximus (largest)
- Minimus (smallest)
- Minor (smaller)
- Orbicularis (circle)
- Pectinate (comblike)
- Piriformis (pear-shaped)
- Platys- (flat)
- Pyramidal (pyramid)
- Rhomboideus (rhomboid)
- Serratus (serrated)
- Splenius (bandage)
- Teres (long and round)
- Trapezius (trapezoid)
- Vastus (huge or great)
Terms Indicating Direction of Fibers:
- Rectus (straight)
- Oblique (diagonal)
- Transverse (across)
- Circularis (circular)
Terms Indicating Body Location:
- Brachii (arm)
- Gluteus (buttocks)
- Infra (below)
- Lateralis (lateral)
- Pectoralis (chest)
- Sub (underneath)
- Supra (above)
Terms Indicating Action:
- Abduction: moves away from the midline
- Adduction: moves closer to the midline
- Depressor
- Extension: increases the angle of a joint
- Flexion: decreases the angle of a joint
- Levator
- Pronation: turns the palm of the hand down
- Rotation: moves a bone around its longitudinal axis
- Supination: turns the palm of the hand up
- Tensor
- Dorsiflexion: elevates the foot
- Plantar flexion: lowers the foot, pointing the toes