3-17. RECUMBENT POSITIONS
The term "recumbent" comes from the Latin words "re" (to lie back) and "cubere"
(to lie down). Recumbent is another term often used to describe the decubatus
positions. Recumbent means lying down or reclining. It is often used interchangeably
with the term decubitus.
recumbent: lying down or reclining.
3-18. DORSAL RECUMBENT, DORSAL DECUBITUS, OR SUPINE POSITION
The term "dorsal" is Latin for "back." Thus, dorsal refers to being situated on the
back. As you may have surmised, dorsal decubitus and dorsal recumbent mean lying in
the supine position (figure 3-32).
Figure 3-32. The dorsal decubitus, dorsal recumbent, or supine position. (Flexing the
patient's knees provides added comfort.)
3-19. THE VENTRAL RECUMBENT, VENTRAL DECUBITUS, OR PRONE
The prefix "ventri-" is Latin for "abdomen." Thus, the ventral recumbent or ventral
decubitus position is another name for the prone position. In this position, the patient is
lying face down (figure 3-33). The ventral decubitus position produces a left lateral
ventral recumbent (ventral decubitus): prone or lying face down.