Supine position


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A man lying in the supine position

The supine position (/səˈpaɪn/ or /ˈsuːpaɪn/) is a position of the body: lying with the face up, as opposed to the prone position, which is face down, sometimes with the hands behind the head or neck. When used in surgical procedures, it allows access to the peritoneal, thoracic and pericardial regions; as well as the head, neck and extremities.[1]

Using anatomical terms of location, the dorsal side is down, and the ventral side is up.

Supine position and prone position


References

  1. Rothrock, J. C. (2007) Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery 13th Ed. Mobsy Elsevier: St Louis, Missouri. p. 148.



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