anth 1400 lab 1 exam directional terms

superior

up/toward head (called cranial for quadrupeds)

inferior

down/away from head (called caudal for quadrupeds)

anterior

toward front of body (called ventral for quadrupeds)

posterior

toward back of body (dorsal is used for quadrupeds)

medial

toward midline of body

lateral

away from midline of body

proximal

closest to an articular point (nearest the axial skeleton)

distal

farthest from an articular point (away from axial skeleton)

sagittal (plane)

plane through body from front to back, divides body into left, right halves

coronal (plane)

plane at right angles to sagittal plane, divides body into front, back halves (also called frontal)

transverse (plane)

plane that slices through body perpendicular to sagittal, frontal planes (also called horizontal)

external

outer/outside

internal

internal/inside

superficial

closest to surface

deep

farther from surface

palmar

palm side of hands

plantar

sole side of foot

dorsal

top of foot/back of hand