Anatomic Planes

anterior

toward front of the body

posterior

toward back of the body

cranial

toward head

caudal

toward tail

rostral

within head/toward nose

medial

toward midline

lateral

away from midline

dorsal

toward the back

ventral

toward the belly

proximal

closer to the body

distal

further away from the body

palmar

caudal surface of forelimb below carpus

plantar

caudal surface of hind limb below tarsus

dorsal plane

divides the body into dorsal/ventral halves

median plane

divides the body into equal right and left equal portions

sagittal plane

divides the body into right and left unequal parts

transverse plane

cross-section of the trunk, head, limb, or other appendage

internal

inside

external

outside