Directional Terms and Body Planes

Prone

Lying face down in anatomical position

Supine

Lying faceup in anatomical position

Anterior

Close to belly (ventral)

Posterior

Closer to the back (Dorsal)

Dorsal

Posterior

Ventral

Anterior

Superior

Closer to the head (Cranial)

Inferior

Closer to the feet (cavdal)

Medial

closer to midline

Lateral

Futher from midline

Proximal

Closer to attachment

Distal

Futher from attachment

Superficial

Closer to the surface

Deep

Futher from the surface

Ipsilateral

Structures on the same side of the body

Contralertal

Structures on the opposite side of the body

Sagittal Plane

vertical plane which passes through the body longitudinally.

Frontal or Coronal Plane

A vertical plane running from side to side

Transverse Plane

It divides the body into an upper (superior) section and a lower (inferior) section. a horizontal plane.

Midsagittal (part of Sagittal)

Equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal (part of Sagittal)

Unequal left and right portions.