Anatomy and Physiology Directional Terms

Anterior (Ventral)

Front

Posterior (Dorsal)

Back

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head

Inferior (Caudial)

Toward tail

Proximal

Closer to point of origin

Distal

More distant (further away) from same point of origin

Medial

Closer to midline

Lateral

Further away from midline

Superficial

Structures closer to surface of body

Deep

Further away from surface

Axial

Head, neck, and trunk

Appendicular

Upper and lower limbs or appendages

Sagittal plane

Divides body or body parts into right and left

Midsagittal plane (Median Plane)

Divides body or body parts into equal left right

Parasagittal plane

Divides body or body part into unequal right and left

Frontal plane (Coronal plane)

Divides body or body part into anterior and posterior (front and back)

Transverse plane

Divides body into superior and inferior sections (top and bottom)

What is the transverse plane also known as?

Horizontal plane

What sections does the transverse plane create for structures of the appendicular region?

Proximal and distal sections

Oblique plane

less standardized plane (taken at an angle)