Anatomical Terms w/ Pictures

anterior

front of the body

posterior

back of the body

superior

above or towards the head

inferior

below or towards the feet

proximal

closer to where the arm or leg attaches. only applies on the same limb

distal

further away from where the arm or leg attaches. only applies on the same limb

medial

closer to the midline

lateral

further from the midline

superficial

toward or at the surface of the body

deep

more internal or away from the surface of the body

bilateral symmetry

only one plane of symmetry

radial

symmetry around a central point

asymmetric

not symmetric

coronal plane/frontal plane

vertical plane that divides body into ventral and dorsal

sagittal plane

divides body from right to left

transverse plane/horizontal plane

divides body into superior and inferior parts. perpendicular

dorsal body cavity

protects organs in the nervous system. contains cranial cavity

cranial cavity

the area within the skull and encloses the brain

ventral body cavity

in the anterior aspect of a human body. includes thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity

thoracic cavity

surrounded by ribs and muscles in the chest

abdominopelvic cavity

consist of abdominal and pelvic cavity

abdominal cavity

contains digestive organs, spleen, and kidneys

pelvic cavity

bladder, reproductive organs