Anatomical Terms

WARNING: Graphic Content

Left

Left side of the diagram, NOT your left side. Simple trick: It’s always opposite side of your own left side.

Check the image for more details.

Right

Right side of the diagram, NOT your Right side. Simple trick: It’s always opposite side of your own Right side.

Check the image for more details.

Anterior (aka ventral)

Front of the body

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Example: Belly button is on anterior (ventral) surface of body

Posterior (aka dorsal)

Back of the body

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Example: Heel is posterior (dorsal) to the toes

Superior

Above or towards the heard

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Example: Nose is superior to the head

Inferior

below or towards the feet

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Example: Toes are inferior to fingers

Proximal (only used for 2 points on same arms or legs)

Closer to where arm of leg inserts into body

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Example: Knee is proximal to ankle

Distal (only used for 2 points on same arms and legs)

further away from where arm or leg inserts into body

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Example: Wrist is distal to elbow

Medial

Closer to midline

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Example: Little finger is medial to thumb finger

Lateral

away from midline

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Example: Thumb is lateral to little finger

4 anatomical planes

1. Sagittal
2. Frontal
3. Transverse
4. Oblique

Sagittal Plane

length-wise cut. Divides body into left and right portions

Example: mid-sagittal plane and Para-sagittal plane (check image)

Frontal Plane

Sideways cut. Divides body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse Plane

Horizontal cut. Divides body into superior and inferior portions

Oblique plane

Oblique angle. Any diagonal section