anatomical position

pts. are standing up facing forward with arms at sides and palms facing upward; allows inspection of posture

supine position

pt. lies on back, face up; allows for exam of the breast and abdomen

dorsal recumbent position

pt. lies flat on the table with bottoms of feet flat on table with knees flexed; used for gyn exams or rectal exams

prone position

pt. lying on the stomach w/head turned to one side; used to examine spine and back

sims' position

pt. is on left side w/left leg slightly flexed and the right leg sharply flexed upward; allows for exam of the anus and rectum

knee-chest position

chest and kness are flat against the table w/knees separated; used to examine the anus and rectum

high fowlers position

pt. sitting w/legs hanging down w/body at a 90 degree angle; used to examine head, neck, and chest

semi-fowlers position

pt. resting against the back of the table that is lowered to 30 or 45 degrees

lithotomy position

pt. sits at the end of the table and then lies back, legs are then supported in stirrups and the hips are moved to the end of the table; used for gyn and rectal exams

trendelenburg position

pt. lies on table and the end of the table is raised so the feet are higher than the head; used to treat pts. w/trauma, low blood pressure and for certain abdominal procedures

jackknife position/rarely seen

the pt. is lying down on the table w/head and knees raised for rectal and anal exams

proctological position

pt. is on his/her stomach and bent double over the table; used for rectal anal exams