Directional Terms and Body Planes

Body terms of direction and position, and body planes

allow for a quick and consistent way to locate an area of the body, improving communication between the medical team

Standard Anatomical Position

Body stands erect, limbs extended, and palms facing forward

Crainial/Superior

Refers to a structure being closer to the head, or above another part of the body; ex. The lungs are closer to the head

Caudal/Inferior

Refers to the structure being closer to the feet, the lower part of the body than another structure in the body, ex. The diagram is inferior to the lungs.

Anterior/Ventral

Refers to a structure being more in front than another structure in the body. Ex. The heart is anterior to the spinal column.

Posterior/Dorsal

Terms that refer to a structure being more in the back than another structure in the body. Ex. The gallbladder is posterior to the liver. Since it was behind the liver.

Medial

 Refers to a structure being closer to the median plane than another structure in the body. Ex. Your big toe is medial to the little toe since it's in the median of your body.

Lateral

 This term refers to a structure that is further away from the median plane than another structure in the body. Ex. The little toe is lateral to the big toe on your foot. 

Proximal

Only used with the arms and the legs! Refers to a structure being closer to the root of the limb (body) than another structure in the limb. Ex. The elbow is proximal to your hand. 

Distal

Only used with arms and legs! Refers to the structure being further away from the root of the limb (body). Ex. The hand is distal to the elbow

• Think about where your arm is attached. 

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body, another structure. Ex. Your skin is superficial to the muscle underneath the skin. 

Ways to remember: superficial = surface

Deep

 A structure that is further away from the surface, inside. Ex. The lungs are deep to the ribs.

Ipsilateral

Term used to describe a structure that is on the same side of the body. Ex. The left hand and the left foot are ipsilateral.

• Ipsi- same

Contralateral

Refers to a structure on the opposite side of the body. Ex. The left and the right eye are contralateral to each other.

Body Planes

 fixed lines of reference along which the body is often divided to help view a structure. 

Median or Midsagittal

 The midline of the body. Cuts it into equal right and left halves of the body. 

Sagittal

plane dividing the body into unequal right and left parts

Coronal/Frontal plane

the plane that divides the body into front and back parts. 

Tranverse

Plane that divides the body into upper and lower parts

Supine

face up lying on the pine

Prone

Face down, lying ventral side down