Anatomy Part 2 (Body Orient, Planes, Sections)

superior

above

always appear above other structures

inferior

below

always below other structures

anterior

front

structures that are most forward

posterior

back

structures toward the backside of the body

medial

toward the midline

lateral

away from the midline or median plane

cephalad (cranial)

toward the head

caudal

toward the tail

dorsal

backside

refers to the animal's back or the backside of any other structures

ventral

belly side

always refers to the belly side of animals

proximal

nearer the trunk or attached end

distal

farther from the trunk or point of attachment

superficial

external

toward or at the body surface

deep

internal

away from the body surface

sagittal plane

runs top to bottom and divides body into right and left parts

median/midsagittal

divides body into equal parts

parasagittal plane

all other sagittal planes offset from the midline

frontal plane

plane that divides the body (or organ) into front (anterior) and back (posterior) parts

transverse plane

runs horizontally

cross sections

organs are sectioned along the transverse plane