Anatomical Directional Terms, Body Planes, and Levels of Organization

A set of vocabulary flashcards reviewing anatomical directional terms, anatomical body planes, and biological levels of organization.

Cranial

Toward the head

Caudal

Toward the tail

Rostral

Toward the nose (used only on the head)

Dorsal

Toward the back / top surface of the body

Ventral

Toward the belly / bottom surface of the body

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Proximal

Closer to the body (used for limbs)

Distal

Farther from the body (used for limbs)

Palmar

Bottom surface of the front foot (forelimb)

Plantar

Bottom surface of the hind foot (hindlimb)

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body

Deep

Farther from the surface of the body

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right parts

Median (midsagittal) plane

Divides the body into equal left and right halves

Transverse plane

Divides the body into cranial and caudal parts

Dorsal plane

Divides the body into dorsal and ventral parts

Levels of organization (in order)

Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism