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