Anatomy and Physiology: The Human Body: An Orientation: Body Planes and Sections, Body Orientation and Direction
Chephalad/caudad in animals
These terms are used interchangeable with anterior and posterior in animals
Dorsal/Ventral in humans
These terms are used interchangeable with anterior and posterior in humans
Dorsal/Ventral in animals
These terms are used interchangeable with superior and inferior in animals
Ventral Body Cavity
Thoracic Cavity and Abdominalpelvic Cavity (Abdominal Cavity and Pelvic Cavity)
Cranial Cavity
brain
Sagittal Section
A cut along lengthwise, or longitudinal, plane of the body, dividing the body into right and left parts
Sagittal Plane
A plane that runs lengthwise or longitudinally down the length of the body, dividing it into right and left parts
Midsagittal (median) Section
A sagittal cut down the median plane of the body with the right and left parts being equal in size.
Superior
Above
Posterior
Back
Inferior
Below
Frontal Plane
Coronal - A longitude plane that divides the body (or organ) into anterior and posterior parts
Dorsal body cavity
Cranial and spinal cavities
Transverse Plane
Cross - A plane that runs horizontally, dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.
Transverse (cross) Section
Cut along a horizontal plane, dividing the body or orhan into superior and inferior parts
Distal
Father from the trunk or point of attachment
Median/Midsagittal Plane
If the plane divides the body into equal parts, right down the midline of the body
Proximal
Nearer to the trunk or attached end
Pelvic Cavity
Reproductive organs, bladder and rectum - tips away from the abdominal cavity in a posterior direction
Abdominal Cavity
Stomach, intestines, liver, and other organs
Spinal Cavity
Within the body vertebral column which protects the spinal cord
Frontal (coronal) Section
a cut along a lengthwise plane that divides the body (or an organ) into anterior and posterior parts
Deep
away from the body surface or more internal
Lateral
away from the midline or median plane
Dorsal
backside - animals back or backside of or any other structure/organ
Ventral
belly side - animals belly side or any other structure/organ
Anterior
front
Cephalad/caudad in humans
these terms are used interchangeably with superior and inferior in humans
Superficial
toward or at the body surface
Cephalad
toward the head
Medial
toward the midline
caudad
toward the tail