Directional Terms, Body Planes and Sections

Directional Terms (DT)

Explains location of one body structure in relation to another

Superior (cranial or cephalad)

toward the head or upper part of a structure or the body; above (DT)

Inferior (caudal)

away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below (DT)

Ventral (anterior)

toward or at the front of the body; in front of (DT)

Dorsal (posterior)

toward or at the backside of the body; behind (DT)

Medial

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of (DT)

Lateral

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of (DT)

Intermediate

between a more medial and a more lateral structure (DT)

Proximal

close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk (DT)

Distal

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk (DT)

Superficial (external)

toward or at the body surface (DT)

Deep (internal)

away from the body surface; more internal (DT)

Body Planes and Sections

imaginary lines that create sections or slices of the body when a cut is made down that plane

Sagittal

section divides the body (or organ) anywhere into left and right parts

Median (Midsagittal) Plane

section divides the body (or organ) into EQUAL left and right parts

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

section divides the body (or organ) into anterior and posterior parts

Transverse (Cross) Plane

section divides the body (or organ) into superior and inferior parts