ANSC 199 Anatomical terms

Cranial

toward the head

Caudal

toward the rear

Dorsal

towards the backbone

Ventral

towards the belly

Lateral

towards the side (away from midline)

Medial

toward the midline

Proximal

near to

Distal

far from

Thoracic

heart/lungs

Abdominal

digestive system

Pelvic

waste excretion, reproductive organs

Frontal plane

divides the body along its central axis into dorsal and ventral halves

Sagittal plane

divides the body along the central axis into right and left halves

Transverse plane

divides the body into cranial and caudal ends

Flexion

Bending a limb or decreasing the angle between two bones

Extension

Straightening a limb or increasing the angle between two bones

Dorsiflexion

Bending the foot upward at the ankle

Plantarflexion

Bending the foot downward at the ankle

Inversion

Turning the sole of the foot inward

Eversion

Turning the sole of the foot outward

Rotation

Turning a limb about its axis

Circumduction

Moving a limb in a circular motion

Abduction

Moving a limb away from the body midline

Adduction

Moving a limb toward the body midline

Protraction

Moving a body part forward

Retraction

Moving a body part backward

Anterior

Toward the ventral side (human only)

Posterior

Toward the dorsal side (human only)

Rostral

Toward the forehead or nose 

Superior

above

Inferior

Below

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body

Superficial

Closer to body surface

Deep

Farther from body surface