applied animal and health welfare 1- directional terminology

anatomical planes - median and sagittal

median – vertical plane that passes down the middle of the body from head to tail (equal parts, symmetrical right and left halves)

• Sagittal – also a vertical plane passing down the middle of the body from head to tail, but divides the body into unequal, non-symmetrical right and left halves

dorsal , transverse and oblique

• Dorsal – a horizontal plane that runs parallel to the back dividing the body into dorsal (closer to the back) and ventral portions (closer to the belly)

• Transverse – a plane that cuts perpendicularly (90-degree angle) to the long axis of the body or limb to create a cranial (toward the head) and caudal (toward the tail) section. In limbs this becomes proximal (close to the body) and distal (distant to the body)

• Oblique – any plane cutting through the body/structure at an angle that isn’t 90-degree

eye directional terminology - anterior

Toward the front of the eye

posterior (cornea, anterior chamber)

toward the back of the eye (retina, optic nerve)

superior

Toward the top of the globe or head

inferior

toward the bottom of the globe

medial

toward the middle / nose

lateral

toward the side/temple

ventral

on or relating to the underside of an animal or plant ; abdominal

dorsal

refer to the back or upper side of an organism or parts of an organism

cranial

closer to the head

directed toward the head end of the animal

lateral

away from mid line

Superior

above portion

inferior

below part

proximal

upper parts towards body

distal

lower part away from body

palmar

surface of the forelimb that faces toward the ground (in standing position)

plantar

surface of hindlimb that faces toward the ground (in standing position