MA Anatomical Terms and planes

Median

Divides left and right equally

Saggital

divides body into left and right

coronal or frontal

divides body into front and back

Transverse

Divides body into upper and lower parts

Cranial, Superior, Rostral

a structure being closer to the head or higher than another structure in the body

anterior or ventral

toward the front

posterior or dorsal

back of body

Medial

toward the midline

Lateral

side

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Distal

Further from the axis

Caudal or Inferior

toward the tail or bottom

superficial

Toward the surface

deep

away from the surface

Ipsilateral

on the same side of the body

Contralateral

opposite side

Palmar

palm of hand

digital

fingers

dorsum

top of foot

Inferior

Lower on the body, farther from the head

Posterior

toward the back

Cranial

toward the head

Caudal

toward the tail

Transverse

Divides body into upper and lower parts

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment

Physiology

The study of body function

Ventral

belly side

Anatomy

The study of body structure

crural

lower leg

femoral

pertaining to the thigh

Physiology

The study of body function

digital

fingers, toes

Patellar

kneecap

Tarsal

pertaining to the ankle

Inguinal

pertaining to the groin

pedal

pertaining to the foot

Thoracic

pertaining to the chest

Pubic

genital region

plantar

sole of foot

Abdominal

pertaining to the abdomen

Sternal

breastbone

Sacral

Posterior region between the hip bones

Axillary

pertaining to the armpit

Umbilical

navel

Gluteal

pertaining to the buttocks

Brachial

upper arm

Vertebral

spinal column

Lumbar

lower back

Antebrachial

pertaining to the forearm

Perineal

between anus and external genitalia