Terms of relative position, body planes
Anatomy
The study of structure
Comes from Greek words “a cutting up”
Physiology
The study of functions
Comes from Greek words “relationship to nature”
Anatomical Position
Standing erect, facing forward, upper limbs at side, palms facing forward
Superior
Above, or nearer to the head
Inferior
Below, or further from the head (closer to the feet)
Anterior (Ventral)
In front, or nearer to the front
Posterior (Dorsal)
Behind, or nearer to the back
Medial
Closer to the midline of the body
Lateral
Further from the midline of the body
Proximal
Nearer to where a limb attaches to the body
Distal
Further away from where a limb attaches to the body
External
Located on or near the surface
Internal
Located inside or further away from the surface
Sagittal Plane
Separates the body into left & right portions
Mid-sagittal plane
Cuts through midline
Para-sagittal plane
Divides the body into left and right portions, but not through the midline
Frontal (Coronal) Plane
Divides the body into front and back portions
Transverse Plane
Divides the body into top and bottom portions