Body planes and terms of Relationship

Anterior (ventral)

Nearer the front

Posterior (dorsal)

Nearer the back

Superior (cranial)

Upward or nearer the head

Inferior (caudal)

Downward or nearer the feet

Medial

Toward the midline or median plane

Lateral

Farther from the midline or median plane

Proximal

Near to a reference point

Distal

Away from a reference point

Superficial

Closer to the surface

Deep

Farther from the surface

Median plane

Divides body into equal right and left halves

Midsagittalplane

Median plane

Sagitta plane

Divides body into unequal right and left halves

Coronal plane

Divides body into equal or unequal anterior and posterior parts

Transverse plane

Divides body into equal or unequal superior and inferior parts (Cross section or axial sections)

Sagittal plane (midsagittal or median plane)

Coronal plane (frontal plane)

Transverse plane

Bilateral

Right and left side structures

Unilateral

Present on only one side of the body examples: gallbladder or spleen

Ipsilateral

Refers to the same side of the body (examples: right thumb and right big toe)

Contralateral

Refers to the opposite side of the body (examples: the right foot is contralateral to the left foot