Body Planes

anterior

refers to the front of the body

bilateral

pertains to both sides of the body

body planes

imaginary lines used to divide the body into sections

buccal

related to the cheek / mouth area

caudal

refers to the lower part of the body or toward tail

cranial

related to the skull / head region

distal

away from a point of attachment/reference

dorsal

pertaining to the back side of the body

frontal (coronal) plane

a vertical plane dividing the body into front/back sections

inferior

located below another structure

lateral

away from the midline of the body toward the sides

medial

toward the midline of the body

midsagittal plane

a vertical plane dividing into equal left / right halves

posterior

refers to the back of the body or body part

proximal

closer to the point of attachment to body / origin

sagittal plane

a vertical plane dividing the body into left / right sections (not necessary equal)

superficial

close to or on the surface of the body

superior

located above or higher than another structure

transverse plane

horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower sections

unilateral

occruing on one side of the body

ventral

pertains to the front of belly side of the body