t01: language of anatomy

anatomical position

the body is upright, directly facing the observer, feet flat and directed forward, upper limbs are at the body’s sides with the palms facing forward

supine position

body is lying face up

prone position

body is lying face down

anterior view

at or near the front of the body

posterior view

at or near the back of the body

midline

the imaginary line that divides the body into right and left halves

medial

nearer to the midline

lateral

away from the midline

superior view

situated toward the head and further away from the feet; the upper part of a structure

inferior view

situated nearer to the feet than the head; the lower part of a structure

deep

away from the surface of the body

superficial

close to the surface of the body

distal

farther from the origination of a structure

proximal

nearer to the origination of a structure

planes

imaginary flat surfaces that pass through parts of the body

sections

cuts along a certain plane

frontal (coronal) plane

divides the body into front and back portions

transverse (horizontal/axial) plane

divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions

oblique plane

passes through a structure or the entire body at an angle

sagittal plane

divides a structure or the body vertically into right or left portions