Planes of the body

anatomical position

when a person is standing with the palms of the hands facing outward and the fifth finger in a medial position.

Transverse, Cross

Divides the body into upper and lower halves or parts ( cross sections ) it is perpendicular to the longitudinal planes. may be horizontal planes of the upright body, they are called axial or transaxial sections/slices of radiologists.

Lateral

away from the reference point

Ventral

front view

Superior

further above or out; higher in position

Transverse

horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts

planes

imaginary lines that are drawn through the body

Sagittal

is the longitudinal plane dividing the head and torso into right and left parts ( not halves ) it is parallel to the median ( not medial plane )

Coronal, Frontal Plane

longitudinal plane dividing the body ( head torso limbs ) or its parts into front and back halves or parts

Inferior

low or lower in position

Prone

lying face down

Supine

lying face upward

Median

mid line longitudinal plane dividing the head and torso into right and left halves the presence of the sectioned midline of the vertebral column and spinal cord is characteristic of this plane. This is the middle sagittal plane.

Dorsal

situated at the back

Distal

situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment

Proximal

situated nearer to the center of the body or the point of attachment

Medial

vertical plane dividing the body into right and left parts

Frontal

vertical plane diving the body into anterior and posterior parts