Directional Terms

Anatomical Position

body erect, forward facing, arms to side with palms facing forwards

Sagittal Plane

splits into left and right

Coronal Plane

splits vertically front (anterior) to back (posterior)

Parasagittal Plane

parallel to sagital plane but moved closer to one side

Transverse Plane

splits top and bottom

Axial Parts

inline with the center of body (head, neck, and body)

Appendicular Parts

attached to bodies axis (arms and legs)

Anterior or Ventral

front of body

Posterior or Dorsal

back of body

Superior or Cranial

top of the body

Inferior or Caudal

bottom of the body

Medial

structures towards the midline (going inwards)

Lateral

structures away from the midline (going outwards)

Proximal

close to trunk (going up arm)

Distal

further from trunk (going down arm)