Anatomical Terminology

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