This document defines and describes common body positions used in medical terminology. It lists 14 different positions including anatomical position, decubitus position, dorsal recumbent position, Fowler position, Kraske position, knee-chest position, lateral recumbent position, lithotomy position, prone position, Sims position, supine position, Trendelenburg position. It also provides prefixes used to describe positions, directions, and extremities such as cephalo for head and acro for extremity or end.

1. Medical Terminology
Body Positions
By:Dr.Hemal Patel(PT)
ARIP
CHARUSAT

2. Anatomical
position
Standing erect, facing
forward, arms at sides,
palms forward, legs
parallel, toes
Pointed forward

3. Decubitus
position
Lying down,
specifically according
to the part of the body
resting on a flat
Surface, as in left or
right lateral decubitus,
or dorsal or ventral
decubitus

4. Dorsal
recumbent
position
On back, with legs
bent and separated,
feet flat

5. Fowler position
On back, head of bed
raised about 18 inches,
knees elevated

6. Kraske
(jackknife)
position
Prone with the
buttocks raised

7. Knee-chest
position
On knees, head and
upper chest on table,
arms crossed above
head

8. Lateral
recumbent
position
On the side with one leg
flexed; arm position may
vary

9. Lithotomy
position
On back, legs flexed on
abdomen, thighs apart

10. Prone
Lying face down

11. Sims position
On left side, right leg
drawn up high and
forward, left arm along
back, chest
Forward resting on bed

12. Supine
Lying face up

13. Trendelenburg
position
On back with head
lowered by tilting bed
back at 45° angle

14. -:Surprise Test:-

19. Prefixes for Position, Direction
&Extremities
1. Epi____________-
2. Retro__________
3. Peri_____________
4. Cephal/o_________
5. Celi/o____________
6. Acro____________
7. Ped/o___________
8. Dactyl/o___________

24. ANSWERS
1. Epi : On/Over
2. Retro : Backward
3. Peri : Around
4. Cephal/o : Head
5. Celi/o : Abdomen
6. Acro : Extremity/End
7. Ped/o : Foot
8. Dactyl/o : Fingure/Toe

25. Thank You