Domestic Animal Anatomy Language of Anatomy (chapter 1)

Median Plane (mid Sagittal)

A single plane that divides the head, body, or a limb longitudinally into equal left and right halves

Sagittal plane (Paramedian/Parasagital)

A plane passing through the head, body, or limb parallel to the median plane dividing it into unequal parts

Transverse plane

A plane that cuts across the head, body, or limb at a right angle to the median plane, thus dividing it into cranial and caudal segments, or passes through the long axis of an organ or part

Frontal (dorsal) plane

A plane that runs at right angle to both the median and transverse planes dividing the body or head into dorsal and ventral segments

Cranial

Towards or near the head. In reference to a structure on the head, the term in replaced with rostral

Caudal

towards or near the tail

dorsal

towards or near the back or corresponding surface of head, neck, thorax, and tail. Applies to front surface of both front and rear limbs

Ventral

Towards or near the belly or corresponding surface of head, neck, thorax and tail (does not apply to limbs)

Rostral

towards or near the nose, applies only to structure on the head

Medial

towards or near the median plane

Lateral

Away or farther from the median plane

Proximal

closer or relatively near the body or origin

Distal

away or farther from the body or origin

Palmer

the area of the forelimb distal to the carpus referring to the back surface of an animal including the surface that contacts the ground in the standing animal

Plantar

the area of the hindlimb distal to the tarsus referring to the back surface of the limb, including the surface that contacts the ground in the standing animal

superficial

near or relatively near the surface of the body or the surface of a solid organ and further away from the center of the body

Deep

relatively near the center of the body or the center of a solid organ and further away from the body surface

Internal

closer to a body cavity or the center of an organ

external

farther away from a body cavity or the center of an organ

flexion

a folding movement that decreases the angle between 2 bones, thus moving the bones closer together

extension

a movement that increases the angle between 2 bones thus moving the bones farther apart. it restores the body to it’s anatomical position after flexion

abduct

to move a limb or part away from median plane

adduct

to move a limb or part closer to median plane (adds to body)

Rotation

the movement of a limb or body part around its long axis

circumduction

the motion of a limb that resembles a circle

supination

the movement of a limb so that the palmar/plantar surface is rotated medially or dorsally

pronation

the medial movement of the palmar/plantar side of the paw so that it faces ventrally

Hypo-

below, underneath, or lower than normal

Hyper-

above or higher than normal

sub-

meaning below or under

Ad-

above

Intra-

within

Endo-

inner or inside

Ecto-

outer or outside

Meso-

Middle

Poly-

many or too many

-Itis

Inflammation

-phillic

liking or loving

-phobic

fearing or hating

-ectomy

to cut out

-otomy

to cut into

-osis

condition