Below
Below[edit | edit source]
Below is a term that can refer to various contexts in medicine, geography, and other fields. In the medical context, it often pertains to anatomical directions or conditions that are situated lower in position relative to a reference point on the body.
Anatomical Context[edit | edit source]
In human anatomy, "below" is often used to describe the position of one structure in relation to another. For example, the stomach is located below the diaphragm. This directional term is crucial for understanding the spatial relationships between different parts of the body.
Anatomical Position[edit | edit source]
The standard anatomical position is a reference point used to describe the location of body parts. In this position, the body is standing upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward. Terms like "below" (inferior) and "above" (superior) are used to describe the vertical relationship between structures.
Inferior[edit | edit source]
The term "inferior" is synonymous with "below" in anatomical terminology. It indicates that a structure is situated closer to the feet or lower part of the body. For example, the liver is inferior to the heart.
Medical Conditions[edit | edit source]
In medical terminology, "below" can also refer to conditions or symptoms that occur in the lower part of the body. For instance, "below the knee" amputations are a type of surgical procedure where the leg is amputated below the knee joint.
Below the Knee Amputation[edit | edit source]
A below the knee amputation (BKA) is a surgical procedure performed to remove a portion of the leg below the knee joint. This procedure is often necessary due to severe trauma, infection, or complications from diabetes.
Geographical Context[edit | edit source]
Outside of medicine, "below" can refer to geographical locations. For example, a city located below sea level is situated at an elevation lower than the average sea level.
Below Sea Level[edit | edit source]
Some regions of the world are located below sea level, such as the Dead Sea in the Middle East. These areas are often characterized by unique environmental conditions and challenges.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2013). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- "Below the Knee Amputation." American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Retrieved from [1]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD