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.
