Ross Gross Anatomy I: Directional Terminology

lateral

away from or relatively farther from the median plane

distal

away from the main mass or origin; in the limbs and tail, the free ened

superior

human anatomical term meaning "higher" and sometimes replacing "dorsal" in veterinary anatomical terms for structures of the head

inferior

human anatomical term meaning "lower" and sometimes replacing "ventral" in veterinary anatomical terms for structures of the head

posterior

human anatomical term meaning "toward the back" and corresponding to the dorsal and caudal aspects of the limbs or animals and to caudal in the head

anterior

human anatomical term meaning "toward the front" and corresponding to ventral and cranial on the limbs of animal and rostral in the head

supination

lateral rotation of the appendage so that the palmar or planter surface of the paw faces medially

pronation

medial rotation of the appendage from the supine position so that the palmar or plantar surface will face the substrate

cephalic

pertaining to the head

transverse plane

plane cutting across the head, body or limb at a right angle to its long axis or across the long axis of an organ or a part

median plane

plane dividing the head, body or limb longitudinally into EQUAL right and left halves

dorsal plane

plane running at right angles to the median and transverse planes and thus dividing the body or head into dorsal and ventral portions

parasagittal plane

plane running parallel to the median plane and dividing the body into unequal right and left portions

deep

relatively near the center of the body or the center of a solid organ

proximal

relatively near the main mass or origin; in the limbs and tail, the attached end

superficial

relatively near the surface of the body or the surface of a solid organ

aboral

structure away from the head

oral

structure towards the head

plantar

the aspect of the hindpaw on which the pads are located (the surface that contacts the ground in the standing animal) and the corresponding surface of the metatarsus and tarsus

palmar

the aspect of the hindpaw on which the pods are located-the surface that contacts the ground on the standing animal-and the corresponding surface of the metatarsus and tarsus

abduction

the movement of a part away from the median plane

adduction

the movement of a part toward the median plane

flexion

the movement of one bone in relation to another in such a manner that the angle formed at their joint is reduced

extension

the movement of one bone upon another such that the angle formed at their joint increases

dorsal

toward or relatively near the back and corresponding surface of the head, neck and tail; on limbs it applies to the upper or front surface of the carpus, tarsus, metapodium and digits (opposite to the side with the pads)

ventral

toward or relatively near the belly and the corresponding surface of the head, neck, thorax and tail; this term is never to be used for the limbs

cranial

toward or relatively near the head; on the limbs it applies proximal to the carpus and tarsus; not used in reference to the head

medial

toward or relatively near the median plane

rostral

toward or relatively near the nose; applies to the head only

caudal

toward or relatively near the tail; on the limbs it applies proximal to the carpus and tarsus; also used in reference to the head