Anatomical Position, Body Planes, Directional Terms

Superior

A body part is above another part, or is closer to the head (closer to head)

Inferior

A body part is below another body part, is toward the feet (toward the feet)

Distal

Away from the origin or trunk (away from trunk)

Medial

Closer to midline

Coronal Plane

Divides body into front and back portions Divides:Front/Ventral/Anterior Back/Posterior/Dorsal

Sagittal Plane

Divides body into left and right portions (divides:left/right) Sagittal

Transervse Plane

Divides body into top and bottom portions (superior-head; inferior-feat) (divides:upper/lower) cross-sectional, horizontal plane

Parasagittal Plane (Para=near)

Divides into unequal left or right (unequal: left or right)

Deep

Inward from body surface; toward core (internal)

Oblique Plane

Passes through the body at an angle (angle)

Contralateral

Structures on the opposite side (opposite side)

Ipsilateral

Structures on the same side (same side)

Anatomical Position

The body is standing straight, facing forward, upper limbs at side and palms facing forward. (body:straight:face/palm forward)

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back; opposite of Anterior (back)

Proximal

Towards origin or tank (toward the trunk)

Anterior (Ventral)

Towards the Front. [The eyes are _______ to the brain]. (front)

Superficial

closer to the surface of the body (surface-skin)

Midsagittal Plane

divides into equal right and left sides (middle)

Lateral

farther from midline of body