Radiology Anatomical Terms
projection
path of the central ray as it exits the x-ray tube and goes through the patient to the IR
oblique plane
plane can pass through a body part at any angle
coronal plane
divides the entire body or a body part into anterior and posterior segments. The plane passes through the body vertically from one side to the other
horizontal plane
plane passes crosswise through the body or a body part at right angles to the longitudinal axis. It is positioned at a right angle to the sagittal and coronal planes. This plane divide the body into superior and inferior portions.- axial, transverse, cross-sectional
posterior (dorsal)
refers to back part of body or organ (note, however, that the superior surface of the foot is referred to as the dorsal surface)
anterior (ventral)
refers to forward or front part of body or forward part of an organ
central
refers to middle area or main part of an organ
inferior
refers to nearer the feet or situated below
superior
refers to nearer the head or situated above
contralateral
refers to part or parts on the opposite side of body
ipsilateral
refers to part or parts on the same side of body
peripheral
refers to parts at or near the surface, edge, or outside of another body part
caudad
refers to parts away from the head of the body
lateral
refers to parts away from the median plane of body or away from the middle of another body part to the right or left
deep
refers to parts far from the surface
distal
refers to parts farthest from the point of attachment, point of reference, origin, or beginning; away from center of body
superficial
refers to parts near the skin or surface
proximal
refers to parts nearer the point of attachment, point of reference, origin, or beginning; toward the center of body
external
refers to parts outside an organ or on the outside of body
cephalad
refers to parts toward the head of the body
medial
refers to parts toward the median plane of body or toward the middle of another body part
internal
refers to parts within or on the inside of an organ
visceral
refers to the covering of an organ
palmar
refers to the palm of the hand
plantar
refers to the sole of the foot
dorsum
refers to the top or anterior surface of the foot or to the back or posterior surface of the hand
parietal
refers to the wall or lining of a body cavity
Sagittal plane
sagittal plane divides the entire body or a body part into right and left segments