Body Directions/Planes/Mouth/Cavities

Ventral

refers to the belly or underside of the body

Dorsal

refers to the back

Cranial

toward the head

Caudal

toward the tail

Anterior

front of the body

Posterior

rear of the body

Rostral

nose end of the head

Cephalic

pertaining to the head

Medial

toward the midline

Lateral

away from the midline

Superior

uppermost, above, or toward the head

Inferior

lowermost, below, or toward the tail

Proximal

nearest to the midline

Distal

farthest from the midline

Superficial

near the surface (skin)

Deep

away from the surface; internal

Palmar

caudal surface of the front paws (front limbs)

Plantar

caudal surface of the rear paws (back limbs)

Midsagittal Plane

divides the body into equal left and right halves

Sagittal Plane

divides the body into unequal left and right parts

Dorsal Plane

divides the body into back and belly parts

Transverse Plane

divides the body into cranial and caudal parts

Lingual Surface

aspect of the tooth facing the tongue

Buccal Surface

aspect of the tooth facing cheek

Occlusal Surface

aspect of the teeth that meet when chewing

Labial Surface

tooth surface facing lips

Contact Surface

aspect of the tooth that touch other teeth

Recumbent

medical term for lying down

Cranial Cavity

contains the brain in the skull

Spinal Cavity

contains the spinal cord within the spinal column

Thoracic Cavity

contains the heart and lungs within the ribs and between the neck and diaphragm

Pelvic Cavity

contains the reproductive organs and pelvic bones

Abdominal Cavity

contains the major organs of digestion between the diaphragm and pelvic cavity