EMT CHAPTER 5 ANATOMICAL DIRECTIONS & PLANES

Anterior

Front of the body

Distal

Farther from the point of origin or attachment

Inferior

Below or lower in position

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Posterior

Back of the body

Proximal

Closer to the point of origin or attachment

Superior

Above or higher in position

Coronal plane

Divides body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections

Transverse plane

Divides body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) sections

Sagittal Plane

Divides body into right and left sections

bilateral

Affecting both sides of the body

ipsilateral

On the same side of the body

unilateral

Affecting one side of the body

prone

Lying face down

supine

Lying face up

Recovery Position

Lying on side to maintain open airway (used for unconscious breathing patients)