Radiology Anatomical Terms

projection

path of the central ray as it exits the x-ray tube and goes through the patient to the IR

oblique plane

plane can pass through a body part at any angle

coronal plane

divides the entire body or a body part into anterior and posterior segments. The plane passes through the body vertically from one side to the other

horizontal plane

plane passes crosswise through the body or a body part at right angles to the longitudinal axis. It is positioned at a right angle to the sagittal and coronal planes. This plane divide the body into superior and inferior portions.- axial, transverse, cross-sectional

posterior (dorsal)

refers to back part of body or organ (note, however, that the superior surface of the foot is referred to as the dorsal surface)

anterior (ventral)

refers to forward or front part of body or forward part of an organ

central

refers to middle area or main part of an organ

inferior

refers to nearer the feet or situated below

superior

refers to nearer the head or situated above

contralateral

refers to part or parts on the opposite side of body

ipsilateral

refers to part or parts on the same side of body

peripheral

refers to parts at or near the surface, edge, or outside of another body part

caudad

refers to parts away from the head of the body

lateral

refers to parts away from the median plane of body or away from the middle of another body part to the right or left

deep

refers to parts far from the surface

distal

refers to parts farthest from the point of attachment, point of reference, origin, or beginning; away from center of body

superficial

refers to parts near the skin or surface

proximal

refers to parts nearer the point of attachment, point of reference, origin, or beginning; toward the center of body

external

refers to parts outside an organ or on the outside of body

cephalad

refers to parts toward the head of the body

medial

refers to parts toward the median plane of body or toward the middle of another body part

internal

refers to parts within or on the inside of an organ

visceral

refers to the covering of an organ

palmar

refers to the palm of the hand

plantar

refers to the sole of the foot

dorsum

refers to the top or anterior surface of the foot or to the back or posterior surface of the hand

parietal

refers to the wall or lining of a body cavity

Sagittal plane

sagittal plane divides the entire body or a body part into right and left segments