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Anatomical position

Standing erect, palms facing forward, arms by the side, feet together.

Body plane

An imaginary flat surface that separates two portions of the body or organs; anatomical relationships of body parts.

Coronal (Frontal) plane

A sideways cut that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Sagittal plane

A lengthwise cut that divides the body into left and right portions.

Transverse plane

A horizontal cut that divides the body into superior (above) and inferior (below) portions.

Midline

Cuts the body in half vertically.

Anterior/Ventral

Front of the body.

Posterior/Dorsal

Back of the body.

Superior

Above or towards the head.

Inferior

Below or towards the feet.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Further from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to where the arm or leg inserts into the body.

Distal

Further from where the arm or leg inserts into the body.

Body cavities

Any space in the body that contains organs.

Number of body quadrants

4.

Right upper quadrant

Identify the right upper quadrant.

Left upper quadrant

Identify the left upper quadrant.

Right lower quadrant

Identify the right lower quadrant.

Left lower quadrant

Identify the left lower quadrant.

Number of body regions

9.

Right hypochondriac region

Identify the right hypochondriac region.

Epigastric region

Identify the epigastric region.

Left hypochondriac region

Identify the left hypochondriac region.

Right lumbar/lateral region

Identify the right lumbar/lateral region.

Umbilical region

Identify the umbilical region.

Left lumbar/lateral region

Identify the left lumbar/lateral region.

Right iliac (inguinal) region

Identify the right iliac (inguinal) region.

supine

lying face upward.

prone