anatomical positions

biology

Anatomical Position

A reference position that gives meaning to the directional terms used to describe the body parts and regions.

Midline

A reference line extending down the middle of the body, encompassing the vertebral column, spinal cord, and naval. 

Median plane

The midline, longitudinal plane dividing the head and torso into equal right and left halves. 

Body planes

Used to cut the body into smaller sections in order to facilitate study of body cavities, organs, systems etc. Sagittal plane, Transverse plane, Coronal plane 

Sagittal plane

The longitudinal plane dividing the body into left and right parts, parallel to the median plane and may be applied to the head, torso, and limbs. Not limited to the midline.

Coronal plane

The longitudinal plane dividing the body into equal or unequal front and back parts. 

Transverse plane

The horizontal plane that divides the body or body parts into upper and lower segments. A cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal planes. 

Right

To the left side of the midline. References the subject's left, not your left.

Left

To the right side of the body or structure being studied.

Medial

Toward the midline: away from the side.

Lateral

Toward the side; away from the midline.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Inferior (caudal)

means just the opposite, "away from the head" or "lower/under”.

Superior (cranial)

Means “toward the head end of the body” or “higher/above”.

Dorsal

Along (or toward) the vertebral surface of the body.

Ventral

Along (toward) the belly surface of the body.

Proximal

Nearest point of attachment to limb or structure.

Distal

Farthest away from attachment or origin.

Deep

Toward the inside of a part; away from the surface.

Superficial

Toward the surface of a part away from the inside.

Cranial cavity

Inside the skull. Houses and protects the brain.

Spinal (vertebral) cavity

Runs within the vertebral column (spine). Encases the spinal cord. 

Thoracic cavity

Chest area, above the diaphragm. Contains the heart (in the pericardial cavity) and lungs (in the pleural cavities), as well as other structures like the esophagus and trachea. 

Abdominal cavity

Below the diaphragm, upper part of the abdomen. Holds digestive organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, pancreas, and kidneys. 

Pelvic cavity

Lower part of the abdomen, within the pelvis. Contains reproductive organs, the bladder, and parts of the intestines. 

Abdominopelvic cavity

A combination of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. Together, they house most digestive, urinary, and reproductive system organs.

Dorsal cavity

Along the back of the body. Includes the cranial and spinal cavities. 

Ventral cavity

Front (anterior) side of the body. Includes the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

Large dissecting scissors

Used to cut larger, tougher structures such as bones and joints

Scalpel

Used for precision cutting.

Dull probe

Used to manipulate specimens and probe openings.

T-pins

Used for grasping and manipulating parts of an organism during dissection.

Forceps

Multi purpose tool that can be used to manipulate, probe, or clean parts of specimens.

Dissecting pins (T-pins)

Used to position or identify parts of a dissected organism.

Scalpel

Used for precision cutting, particularly when you need to be very meticulous in your cutting.