Mastering A and P (3) Terminology

Cross Section

A cut a made in a structure perpendicular to its long Axis. Also called a transverse section.

Sagittal Section

A cut made in a structure a long as sagittal plane.

Longitudinal Section

A cut made in a structure a long it's long axis.

oblique section

A cut made in a structure cut at any angle other than a long or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Frontal Plane

A plane passing through the body from top to bottom that separates the body into front and back parts. Also called a coronal plane.

sagittal plane

A plane passing through the body from top to bottom that separates the body into left and right parts.

Transverse Plane

A plane that passes horizontally through the body separating it into top and bottom parts. Also called a horizontal plane.

cephalic

A relative position indicating that one structure is closer to the head then the other structure.

Proximal

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to a specific point of origin than the other structure.

posterior

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the back then the other structure.

dorsal

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the back then the other structure. This is the same as posterior for humans.

Ventral

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the belly side and then the other structure. This is the same as anterior for humans.

Medial

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the body's central vertical axis than the other structure.

inferior

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the bottom then the other structure.

Deep

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the inner core of the body than the other structure.

Lateral

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the side of the body than the other structure.

superficial

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the surface of the body then the other structure.

Caudal

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the tail region than the other structure.

Superior

A relative position term indicating that one structure is closer to the top then the other structure.

Distal

A relative position term indicating that one structure is farther away from a specific point of origin than the other structure.

anterior plane

A relative position term used indicate that one structure is closer to the front then the other structure.

midsagittal plane

A sagittal plane cutting exactly through the midline of the body. Also called a median sagittal or median plane.

Median Plane

A sagittal plane cutting exactly through the midline of the body. Also called a median sagittal or midsagittal plane.

median sagittal plane

A sagittal plane cutting exactly through the midline of the body. Also called a mentor sagittal or median plane

anatomical position

A specific body position: The individual is standing upright, arms at the sides and palms facing forward, and feet towards the front

Median

A term indicating that a structure is exactly on the central vertical axis of the body.

Plane

An imaginary two-dimensional surface passing through the body in a particular Direction.