Directional Terms and Planes of Section

Planes and Sections

Planes and Sections

Sagittal plane

A plane that runs lengthwise or longitudinally down the length of the body, dividing it into right and left parts.

Midline

Divides the body into equal right and left parts.

Frontal/Coronal plane

A longitudinal plane that divides the body (or an organ) into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse plane

A plane that runs horizontally, dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

Directional Terms

Directional Terms

Superior/Inferior

Above/Below

Anterior/Posterior

Front/Back

Medial/Lateral

Toward the midline/Away from the midline

Superficial/Deep

Toward or at the body surface/Away from the body surface or more internal

Proximal/Distal

Closer to the trunk or attached end/Farther from the trunk or point of attachment