orientation and directional terms, body planes and sections

superior (cranial)

toward the head end or upper part of a structure of the body; above

inferior (caudal)

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

anterior (ventral)

toward or at the front of the body; in front of

posterior (dorsal)

toward or at the back of the body; behind

medial

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

lateral

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

intermediate

between a more media and a more lateral structure

proximal

closer to the orgin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

distal

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body truck

superficial (external)

toward or at the body surface

deep (interal)

away from the body surface; more internal

axial

head, neck, trunk

appendicular

limbs (legs and arms)

cephalic

frontal, orbital, nasal, buccal (cheek), oral, mental (chin)

sagittal plane

• divides body vertically into right and left parts

• produces sagittal section

midsagittal median plane

vertical cut made perfectly on midline

parasagittal plane

vertical cut was off centered not on midline

Frontal (coronal) plane

• divides body vertically into anterior and posterior parts (front and back)

• produces frontal or coronal section

transverse (horizontal plane)

divides body horizontally (90 degrees to vertical plane) into superior and inferior parts (top and bottom)

obligue section

results of cuts at angle other than 90 degrees to vertical plane