Relative Pos. Anatomical Terms

Sagittal / Median / Midsaggital Plane Divides Body Into:

Left and right.

Frontal / Coronal Plane Divides Body Into:

Front and back.

Transverse / Horizontal / Axial Plane Divides Body Into:

Upper and lower.

Oblique Plane Divides Body Into:

Diagonal sections.

Superior / Cranial

Upper.

Inferior / Caudal

Lower.

Anterior / Ventral

Front.

Posterior / Dorsal

Back (of spine).

Proximal

Close to trunk (attachment point of limb).

Distal

Far from trunk (attachment point of limb).

Lateral

Far from center line of body (out to the side).

Medial

Closer to center line of body.

When lying down, supine means:

On back.

When lying down, prone means:

On stomach.

Contralateral

Happening on, or relating to, the opposite side of the body.

Ipsilateral

Happening on, or relating to, the same side of the body.

Bilateral

Happening on, or relating to, both sides of the body.

Local Pain, Acute Pain, And Chronic Pain

Local: Pain in one area; does not spread.

Acute: Sudden, sharp, short duration.

Chronic: Long-lasting, slow-developing.