Planes of the body
anatomical position
when a person is standing with the palms of the hands facing outward and the fifth finger in a medial position.
Transverse, Cross
Divides the body into upper and lower halves or parts ( cross sections ) it is perpendicular to the longitudinal planes. may be horizontal planes of the upright body, they are called axial or transaxial sections/slices of radiologists.
Lateral
away from the reference point
Ventral
front view
Superior
further above or out; higher in position
Transverse
horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts
planes
imaginary lines that are drawn through the body
Sagittal
is the longitudinal plane dividing the head and torso into right and left parts ( not halves ) it is parallel to the median ( not medial plane )
Coronal, Frontal Plane
longitudinal plane dividing the body ( head torso limbs ) or its parts into front and back halves or parts
Inferior
low or lower in position
Prone
lying face down
Supine
lying face upward
Median
mid line longitudinal plane dividing the head and torso into right and left halves the presence of the sectioned midline of the vertebral column and spinal cord is characteristic of this plane. This is the middle sagittal plane.
Dorsal
situated at the back
Distal
situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment
Proximal
situated nearer to the center of the body or the point of attachment
Medial
vertical plane dividing the body into right and left parts
Frontal
vertical plane diving the body into anterior and posterior parts