What is the term for lying on one's back?

The term that describes the position of lying on one's back is "supine." This anatomical term is commonly used in medical and healthcare settings to specify patient positioning. When a patient is in the supine position, their face and torso are directed upward, which is essential during various medical examinations and procedures. This position is often used for assessments, surgeries, and when providing care that requires direct access to the front of the body, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or certain diagnostic imaging techniques.

In contrast, the prone position refers to lying face down, ventral typically indicates the front side of the body rather than a specific lying position, and recumbent refers to lying down but does not specify the orientation (back or front). Each of these terms has its own usage and context, but for describing the specific act of lying on the back, "supine" is the most accurate.