unit 1 DIRECTIONAL TERMS/PLANES OF SECTION

Terminology

superior

towards the top of the body or structure

inferior

away from the top of the body or structure

cranial

toward the head

caudal

away from the head or towards the feet

medial

toward the midline of the body

lateral

away from the midline of the body

proximal

toward the point of origin

distal

away from the point of origin

anterior

toward from the front of the body

posterior

away from front of the body

ventral

toward the belly side

dorsal

away from the belly side

superficial

toward the surface of the body

deep

away from the surface of the body

ipsilateral

same side of the body

contralateral

opposites sides of the body

frontal/coronal plane

divides a structure into anterior and posterior portions

sagittal plane

divides a structure into left and right portions

midsagittal/median plane

divides a structure into equal left and right portions

transverse/horizontal plane

divides a structure into superior and inferior portions

parasagittal plane

divides a structure into left and right portions offset from the midline

oblique section

divides a structure diagonally, seldom used