Anatomic Directions

distal

away from a reference point (ex: the wrist is ______ to the elbow)

superficial

closer to the surface (ex: the skin is ______ to the biceps brachii muscle)

coronal plane

divides body into equal or unequal anterior and posterior parts; frontal plane

transverse plane

divides the body into equal or unequal superior and inferior parts (cross-sections or axial sections)

sagittal plane

divides the body into unequal right and left halves; midsaggittal or median plane

inferior

downward or nearer the feet (ex: the stomach is ______ to the heart)

lateral

farther from the midline or median plane (ex: the arms are ______ to the heart)

deep

farther from the surface (ex: the heart is ______ to the rib cage)

proximal

near to a reference point (ex: the elbow is ______ to the hand)

posterior

nearer the back (ex: the heart is ______ to the sternum)

anterior

nearer the front (ex: the stomach is ______ to the spinal cord)

contralateral

on the opposite side (ex: the right arm is ______ to the left leg)

ipsilateral

on the same side (ex: the right arm is ______ to the right leg)

dorsal

toward the back side of the human body (ex: the spinal cord is on the _______ side of the body)

ventral

toward the belly side of the human body (ex: the umbilicus is on the ______ side of the body)

medial

toward the midline or median plane (ex: the lungs are ______ to the shoulders)

rostral

toward the nose or mouth (ex: the frontal lobe of the brain is ______ to the back of the head)

caudal

toward the rear or the tail end (ex: the buttocks are ______ to the head)

cephalic

towards the head end (cranial) (ex: the shoulders are ______ to the feet)

superior

upward or near the head (ex: the chest is ______ to the pelvis)