Anatomical Directional Terms and Body Orientations

What is the standard anatomical position?

The standard anatomical position is a reference posture in which a person stands upright, feet together, arms at their sides, and head facing forward.

Who’s viewpoint is the correspondent for left to right?

always correspond strictly to the patient's right side and left side, rather than the viewpoint of the clinician or observer.

What is the Sagittal Plane?

A vertical plane running anterior-to-posterior (front to back) that divides the human body into right and left portions

What is the Midline?

A imaginary vertical line going straight down the middle of the body separating the structure in equal right and left halves.

Lateral

Pertaining to the side, or moving away from the midline toward the outer sides of the body.

Which is more lateral?

eyes

Which is more lateral?

Arms

Which is more lateral? Arms or Lungs?

The Lungs

What is the Transverse Plane?

A horizontal plane that divides the body lateral into upper (top) and lower (bottom) sections.

Definition of Superior (Cranial)

Positioned above, or directed toward the head/cranium

Definiton of Inferior (Caudal)?

Positioned below, or directed away from the head/downward.

Which is Superior?

Eyes

Which is Superior?

nose

What is the Corona/ Frontal Plane?

A VERTICAL plane running side to side that divides the body into front and back portions

Anterior

Pertaining to the front, or directed toward the front surface of the body

What is Posterior?

Pertaining to the back, or directed toward the rear/back surface of the body.

What is Proximal?

Positioned toward the trunk, or closer to the point of structural origin or attachment.

What is Distal?

Positioned away from the trunk, or further from the point of structural origin or attachment.

Superficial Definition?

Positioned closer to the exterior surface of the body.

Definition of Ipsilateral

• Located on or affecting the identical (same) side of the body.

• Prefix Meaning: The prefix ipsi- denotes same.

What does Contralateral mean

• Definition: Located on or affecting the opposing (opposite) sides of the body.

• Prefix Meaning: The prefix contra- denotes opposite or against.