Anatomical Terms

Anatomical Position (describe requirements)

• standing upright

• Facing forward

• Head level

• Palms facing forward

• Arms at sides

• Feet shoulder-width apart

Anterior

Towards the front

Posterior

Towards the back

Superior

Towards the top

Inferior

Towards the bottom

Lateral

Toward the side

Medial

Towards the midline

Proximal

Closer to the trunk (only for limbs)

Distal

Further from the trunk (only used for limbs)

Superficial

Toward the surface

Deep

Closer to the inside

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior portions

Sagittal Plane

Divides into left and right

MIDsagittal plane is down the middle, but a sagittal plane can form uneven portions

Transverse Plane

Divides body or organ into superior and inferior portions (parallel to the ground anywhere between the top of the head and the feet)

Posterior (Dorsal) Cavities

• Cranial

• Spinal (vertebral)

Anterior (Ventral) Cavities

• Thoracic

• Abdominal

• Pelvic