Fekvés

Fekvés is the Hungarian noun for the act or state of lying down, i.e., a recumbent position. In medical contexts it denotes the posture of a patient in a horizontal plane, as opposed to upright standing or sitting. The term covers several standard lying positions, including hanyattfekvés (supine, lying on the back), hasonfekvés (prone, lying on the abdomen), and oldalfekvés (lateral or side-lying). These descriptions are used in clinical assessment, anesthesia, surgery, and radiology to specify how a patient is positioned during examination or procedures.

The choice of fekvés influences physiological parameters such as airway management, breathing mechanics, circulation, and comfort. Supine positioning is common for many examinations and imaging studies, but may be avoided in certain trauma cases or when spinal injury is suspected. Prone or side-lying positions can be used for respiratory therapy, specific surgical approaches, drainage, or patient comfort. In extended bed rest or rehabilitation, different fekvés are described to guide care and monitoring.

Beyond medical usage, fekvés also appears in everyday language to indicate lying down for rest or sleep, and it may be described in terms like “lying position” or “resting place” in nonclinical contexts. See also posture, recumbent position, imaging positions.