Anatomical Position
a human standing erect, face forward, with feet parallel and arms hanging at the side, with palms facing forward
Supine Position
Face upward
Prone position
Face downward
Trendelenburg Position
the head of the bed is lower than the patients feet
- This position is used to help move secretions from various regions of the patients lungs
Fowlers Position
the patient is sitting in bed with the head of the bed elevated
- Facilitates breathing
- Comfort for bedridden patients while eating or talking
Superior
toward the head or upper body
Inferior
away from the head or toward the lower part of the body
Anterior(ventral)
Front of the body
Posterior(dorsal)
back of the body
Medial
Middle of the body
Lateral
on side of the body
Lithotomy position
a common position for surgical procedures and medical examination of the pelvis, lower abdomen, and reproductive organs.
Patients are placed on back with feet elevated
Dorsal recumbent
laying on their back with knees flexed and feet flat on the table or bed
Used for some surgical procedures and examinations of the vagina or rectum
Semi Fowlers
45 Degree angle
High Fowlers
90 Degree Angle
Right Upper Quadrant
- Liver
- Right Kidney
- Colon
- Pancreas
- Gallbladder
Right Lower Quadrant
- Colon
- Small intestine
- Major artery and vein to the right leg
- Ureter
- Appendix
Midline Area
- Aorta
- Pancreas
- Small Intestine
- Bladder
- Spine
Left Upper Quadrant
- Liver
- Spleen
- Left Kidney
- Stomach
- Colon
- Pancreas
Left Lower Quadrant
- Colon
- Small intestine
- Major Artery and vein to the left leg
- Ureter