Anatomical Planes and Directions

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal

Distal

Body parts away from the point of attachment (of an extremity)

Medial

Body parts close to the midline; toward the midline.

Proximal

Body parts close to the point of attachment (of an extremity).

Lateral

Body parts located away from the midline.

Cranial

Body parts located near the head.

Posterior (dorsal)

Body parts on or toward the back of the body.

Anterior (ventral)

Body parts on, or toward the front of the body.

Superior

Body parts that are above other body parts; towards the head.

Inferior

Body parts that are below other body parts; towards the feet.

Midsagittal or Median plane

Divides the body into equal right and left sides

Frontal plane

Divides the body into front and back sections

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into right and left portions (not equal portions)

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane that divides the body into a top and bottom sections.

Body planes

Imaginary lines drawn through the body at various parts to separate the body into sections.

Bilateral

On both/two sides of the body.

Unilateral

On one side of the body.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body from another structure.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body as another structure.

supine position

lying on back; face up

prone position

lying on stomach; face down

Superficial

near the surface of the body