Directional & Body Planes & Cavities Terms

Superior

Above

Inferior

Below

Anterior

In Front

Posterior

Back

Medial

Towards the midline

Laterial

Away from the midline

Proximal

Closer to the trunk

Distal

Further from the trunk

Superificial

Toward the surface

Deep

Away from the surface

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into left and right sides

Frontal Plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions

Transverse Plane Divides the body into superior and inferior portion

Cranial

Brain

Spinal/Vertebral

Spinal Cord

Thoracic

Lung, heart, esophagus, trachea

Abdominal

Stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, large intestine

Pelvic

Urinary bladder, internal reproductive organs, some large intestine