Anatomical Planes and Directions
Deep
Away from the body surface; more internal
Distal
Body parts away from the point of attachment (of an extremity)
Medial
Body parts close to the midline; toward the midline.
Proximal
Body parts close to the point of attachment (of an extremity).
Lateral
Body parts located away from the midline.
Cranial
Body parts located near the head.
Posterior (dorsal)
Body parts on or toward the back of the body.
Anterior (ventral)
Body parts on, or toward the front of the body.
Superior
Body parts that are above other body parts; towards the head.
Inferior
Body parts that are below other body parts; towards the feet.
Midsagittal or Median plane
Divides the body into equal right and left sides
Frontal plane
Divides the body into front and back sections
Sagittal plane
Divides the body into right and left portions (not equal portions)
Transverse plane
Horizontal plane that divides the body into a top and bottom sections.
Body planes
Imaginary lines drawn through the body at various parts to separate the body into sections.
Bilateral
On both/two sides of the body.
Unilateral
On one side of the body.
Contralateral
On the opposite side of the body from another structure.
Ipsilateral
On the same side of the body as another structure.
supine position
lying on back; face up
prone position
lying on stomach; face down
Superficial
near the surface of the body