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Anatomy & Physiology vocabulary · Body Regions and Directional Terms

Supine

Meaning in anatomy & physiology, with examples

/ˈsuːpaɪn/adjectiveCommon term

In anatomy & physiology, supine means: Lying flat on the back with the face upward. The opposite position, lying face down, is called prone.

In Turkish: sırtüstü, supin

How it is used

Used for patient positioning in examinations, imaging and surgery: 'the patient was placed supine'. Related forearm terms are supination (turning the palm up) and pronation (turning the palm down).

Example sentences

  1. Examine the abdomen with the patient lying supine and relaxed.

  2. The MRI scan is done with the patient in the supine position.

Common collocations

  • lying supine
  • supine position
  • placed supine
  • prone position
  • supination
  • anatomical positionThe standard reference posture used to describe the body: standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides with the palms facing forward, and feet together.
  • dorsalOn or toward the back of the body. In the hand and foot it also means the top surface: the back of the hand and the upper surface of the foot are dorsal.
  • posteriorAt or toward the back of the body. For example, the vertebral column is posterior to the heart.

More terms: Body Regions and Directional Terms

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.