Sports Med Anatomical Terms

Sagittal Plane

Divides body into right and left halves

Frontal Plane

Divides body into Front and Back Halves

Transverse Plane

Divides body into top and bottom halves

Anterior

Towards the front

Posterior

Towards the back

Medial

Relation to imaginary midline dividing right/left halves. Closer to that midline

Lateral

Towards the side in relation to imaginary mid-line

Proximal

Closer to the trunk of the body OR closer to another specified point of reference than another part

Distal

Farther from the trunk of body OR farther from another specified point of reference than another part

Inferior

The part is below another or towards the feet

Superior

The part is above another or closer to the head

Ipsilateral

The same side

Contralateral

Refers to the opposite side

Superficial

Close to the body’s surface

Deep

Parts that are more internal

Axial Skeleton

Spine, thorax, and skull

Appendicular Skeleton

Bones of the extremities

Growth plates

Epiphysis’

Diathrodial

Ball and Socket, Gliding/Plane, Pivot, Ellipsoidal/Condyloid, Hinge, and Saddle