Anatomical Terms

Define anatomy

A field of science concerned with the identification and description of the body structures of living things

What is standard anatomical position

Standing, head erect, eyes forwards, arms by sides, palms facing out, feet shoulder width apart, toes forward

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into left and right (midsagittal or parasagittal)

Transverse Plane

Horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions

Frontal/Coronal Plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into front and back

Superior vs Inferior

Closer to the top vs closer to the bottom

Cranial vs Caudal

Closer to the head vs closer to the tail

Anterior vs Posterior

Closer to the front vs closer to the back

Medial vs Lateral

Closer to the midline vs away from the midline

Superficial vs Deep

Closer to the surface vs away from the surface

Proximal vs Distal

Closer to the trunk vs away from the trunk

Ipsilateral vs Contralateral

On the same side vs on opposite sides

Prone

Lying face down

Supine

Lying face up

Lateral Recumbent (right/left)

Body lying on the side