Anatomical Positions, Directions, and Planes

Anatomical Position (AP)

Standing erect, with palms and feet facing forward

Superior

A structure being closer to the head or higher than another structure in the body

Inferior

A structure being closer to the feet or lower than another structure in the body

Anterior

A structure being more in front than another structure

Posterior

A structure being more in the back than another structure

Medial

A structure being closer to the midline or median plane

Lateral

A structure being farther away from the midline or median plane

Distal

Extremities only, a structure being further away from the root of the limb than another structure in that limb

Proximal

Extremities only, a structure being closer to the root of the limb than another structure in that limb

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body

Deep

Closer to the core of the body

Ventral

Towards the front / belly

Dorsal

Towards the back

Prone

Lying face down

Supine

Lying face up

Unilateral

One side of the body

Bilateral

Both sides of the body

Sagittal Plane

Dividing the body into right and left portions (midsagittal)

Frontal Plane

Dividing the body into front and back portions (Coronal Plane)

Transverse Plane

Dividing the body into upper and lower portions (Horizontal Plane)

Anatomical Axes

1. Longitudinal

2. Horizontal

3. Anterior - Posterior