Anatomical Nomenclature

Dorsal

Back part of body

Ventral

belly surface of the body

Rostral

toward the nose (in reference to the head)

Caudal

towards the “tail” end of the body

Ipsilateral

same side of the body

Contralateral

opposite sides of the body

Sagittal plane

splits the body into left and right parts

Median sagittal plane

splits body into equal left and right parts

paramedian sagittal plane

splits body into unequal left and right parts

Coronal (frontal) plane

divides body into front and back parts (anterior and posterior)

Transverse (horizontal) plane

splits into upper and lower parts

Trunk

includes the spinal column and ribs

Coxa

hip joint

Crus

lower leg region

Clunes region

buttocks region