Language of Anatomy

Anatomical position

Standing upright palms forward thumbs outward

Directional terms

Explain exactly where one body structure is in relation to another

Superior

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

Inferior (caudal)

Away from the head end or toward the lowest part of a structure or the body; below

Anterior (ventral)

Toward or at the front (big v.)

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or point of attachment

Distal

Farther from the origin of the body part or point of attachment

Superficial

Toward or at the surface

Deep (internal)

Away from the body surface moving internal

Regional terms

Used to identify specific areas within 2 major body divisions

The axial

Head, neck, trunk

The appendicular

Limbs

Sagittal

Vertical cut through the body into left and right halves, midsagittal, parasagittal cuts Off set from the midsagittal

Frontal

Cuts body into anterior and posterior divisions also called coronal plane

Transverse

Divides the body into superior and inferior also called cross-section

Oblique

A diagonal cut