body planes, directions, and cavities

saggital plane

vertical; divides into unequal right and left parts

midsaggital plane

vertical; divides into equal right and left parts

frontal

vertical; divides the body into front and back parts

transverse plane

horizontal; divides the body into upper and lower parts

ventral

towards the front (stomach side)

dorsal

towards the back side

anterior

towards the front

posterior

towards the back

superior

above, towards the head

inferior

below, towards the feet

cephalic

towards the head

caudal

towards the tail or lower part

proximal

near the midline of a structure

distal

further from the midline of a structure

medial

central, closer to the midline

lateral

to the side of the body

dorsal cavity

umbrella cavity; along the back of the body and head

spinal cavity

within the spinal column

cranial cavity

within the skull

ventral cavity

umbrella cavity; along the front of the body

throacic cavity

superior to the diaphram; contains heart and lungs

abdominal cavity

inferior to the diaphram; contains major digestive organs

pelvic cavity

surrounded by the pelvis; contains excretory and reproductive organs