Anatomical Planes

Where are anatomical terms derived from?

Location, Morphology, Function, "Ego-testical"

Anatomical terms based on location can be:

referential or designation

Referential terms are:

descriptive of the location

Designation terms are:

referring to something as part of a larger structure

Anterior can also be called:

ventral

Anterior (Ventral) means:

Towards the front of the body, the belly

Posterior can also be called:

dorsal

Posterior (Dorsal) means:

Towards the rear, the back

Medial means:

Towards the midline

Lateral means:

Away from the midline (Left or Right)

Proximal means:

Towards the center (or origin)

Proximal can also be referred to as:

central

Distal means:

Away from the center (or origin)

Distal can also be referred to as:

Peripheral

Superior can be referred to as:

Rostral

Inferior can be referred to as:

Caudal

Superior (Rostral) refers to:

the upper areas of the body, towards the head (remember rostral, nostril)

Inferior (Caudal) refers to:

the lower areas of the body, the tail

Coronal/Frontal Plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior

Sagittal/Lateral Plane

Plane from dorsal and ventral portions, divides into left and right portions

Transverse/Axial

Plane through axis, divides into upper and lower parts of body

Prone

lying face-down

Supine

lying face upward

Ego-testical

Using your own name for an anatomy term, usually a man's