Body Planes and Directions

Anatomical position

The body is erect with the arms at the sides and the palms are facing forward. It is the position of reference for anatomical nomenclature (discussions).

Coronal or frontal plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into front and back sections.

Anterior or ventral section

The front of the body

Posterior or dorsal position

The back of the body

Prone position

Lying face down

Dorsal or dorsal supine

Lying on the back

Anterior direction

Moving toward the front of the body

Posterior direction

Moving toward the back of the body

Anterorposterior (AP)

Involves moving from outside the body through the anterior section and then through the posterior section

Posteroanterior

Involves moving from outside of the body through the posterior section and then through the anterior section

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into right and left sections

Medial direction

Midline-Moving from either side of the body toward the midline is moving in this direction

Lateral direction

Lateral-Moving from the midline toward either side of the body is moving in a lateral direction, or laterally

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane that divides the body into top and bottom sections

Superior section

The upper half of the body - once divided from a transverse plane

Inferior section

The lower half of the body- once divided from a transverse plane

Cephalad direction

Moving toward the head is the superior direction or this

Caudad direction

Moving toward the tail bone is the inferior direction or this

Distal direction

Moving from the trunk of the body toward the end of a limb (arm or leg)

Proximal direction

Moving from the end of a limb (arm or leg) toward the trunk of the body

External structures

Structures on the surface of the body are superficial or this

Internal structures

Structures below the surface of the body and inside the body are deep or this