Anatomical Positions, Reference Planes, and Directional Terms

Vocabulary flashcards defining anatomical positions, reference planes, and directional terminology based on the provided lecture notes.

Supine Position

A position where the body is lying flat instead of standing upright, with the same positioning of the limbs.

Prone Position

A position where the body lies flat with the chest down and the back up.

Right Lateral Recumbent (RLR)

A position where the person is lying on his right side.

Left Lateral Recumbent (LLR)

A position where the person is lying on the left side.

Coronal or Frontal Plane

A vertical plane running from side to side dividing the body or any of its parts into anterior and posterior portions.

Sagittal Plane or Lateral Plane

A vertical plane running from front to back dividing the body or any of its parts into right and left sides.

Transverse Plane or Axial Plane

A horizontal plane which divides the body into cranial (head) upper and caudal (tail) lower portions.

Median Plane

A sagittal plane through the midline of the body dividing the body or any of its parts into right and left halves.

Directional Terms

Terms that describe the positions of structures relative to other structures or locations in the body.

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head end of the body; upper, or above.

Inferior (Caudal)

Away from the head; lower, or below.

Anterior (Ventral)

Front; toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Back; toward the back of the body.

Midline

An imaginary vertical line down the middle of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline or middle of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; toward the side of the body.