Veterinary Medical Technology Directional

Mesial

in or near the middle of the dental arcade

Axial

pertaining to or with respect to the axial skeleton (head, vertebrae, rib cage)

Sagittal

a plane or section parallel to the median plane of the body, separates body into right and left

Oblique

slanted or inclined plane

Transverse

separates body into front and back

Lateral

pertaining to a side

Medial

pertaining to the area closer to the median plane

Ventral

pertaining to the belly, abdomen, or underside of the body, opposite of dorsal

Dorsal

pertaining to the back or top of the body, opposite of ventral

Cranial

pertaining to the head or cranium

Caudal

pertaining to the hind end or tail

Frontal

plane that separates the body into top and bottom

Rostral

pertaining to the nose

Palmar

pertaining to the pads or bottom of the front foot (as would be the human palm)

Plantar

pertaining to the sole or caudal aspect of hind foot

Proximal

nearest to a point of reference or point of attachment

Distal

furthest to a point of reference or point of attachment