Positions

Supine Position

supine position is a position of the body;
lying down with the face up, as opposed to
the prone position, which is face down.
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 terms defined in the anatomical
position, the dorsal side is down, and the
ventral side is up.

Supine Position


Prone Position
In anatomy, the prone position is a
position of the body lying face down. It is
opposed to the supine position which is
face up. Using the terms defined in the
anatomical position, the ventral side is
down, and the dorsal side is up.
With respect to the forearm, prone refers
to that configuration where the palm of the
hand is directed posteriorly, and the radius
and ulna are crossed.

Prone Position

Trendelenburg Position

In the Trendelenburg position the body
is laid flat on the back (supine
position) with the feet higher than
the head, in contrast to the reverse
Trendelenburg position, where the body
is tilted in the opposite direction. This
is a standard position used in
abdominal and gynecological surgery.
It allows better access to the pelvic
organs as gravity pulls the intestines
away from the pelvis.

Trendelenburg Position
Reverse Trendelenburg
Position

Reverse Trendelenburg
position: supine
position without
flexing or extending,
in which the head is
higher than the feet.


Reverse Trendelenburg
Position


Lateral Position

Start with the bed flat and the patient turned to the left side, with spine straight.
Remember before turning to move the patient to the right side of the bed.

2. Place a pillow under the head so it extends five to six inches beyond the patient's
face and down to the shoulders.

3. Position patient's right arm so shoulder and elbow are flexed and palm of hand is
facing up.

4. Place patient's left arm so it is extended or only slightly flexed and rest it on
patient's hip or bring it forward and place it on a pillow. The patient's shoulder,
elbow, and wrist should be at approximately the same height.

5. Place a pillow between the patient's legs so that it extends from above the knee
to below the ankle. The patient's hip, knee, and ankle should be at approximately
the same height.

6. A pillow may be placed behind the patient to help maintain the position. Lateral
Position

Lateral Position

Lithotomy Position

A supine position in which
the hips and knees are
fully flexed with the legs
spread apart and raised
and the feet resting in
straps. Also called
dorsosacral position.

Lithotomy Position

Fowler's Position

In medicine, the Fowler position is a standard patient position.
It is used to relax tension of the abdominal muscles, allowing
for improved breathing in immobile patients, and to increase
comfort during eating and other activities. It is also used in
postpartum women to improve uterine drainage. The patient is
placed in a semi-upright sitting position (45-60 degrees) and
may have knees either bent or straight.
There are several types of Fowlers positions: Low, Semi-, and
High Fowler's. High Fowler's position is when the patient's head
is raised 80-90 degrees, whereas semi-Fowler's position is
when the patient's head is elevated 30-45 degrees.


Fowler's Position

Fowler's Position

Knee-Chest Position

A prone position in which
the individual rests on the
knees and upper part of
the chest, assumed for
gynecologic or rectal
examination. Also called
genupectoral position.

Knee-Chest Position