Anatomy Basics

Superior

toward the head, upper or above

What is the anatomical position?

Standing upright, arms at sides, palms facing forward, feet pointing forward

Inferior

toward the feet, lower or below

Anterior/ventral

Further to the front, in front of

posterior/dorsal

further to the back, in back of

medial

toward the midline of the body

lateral

toward the side of the body

axial body

head, neck, and trunk

appendicular body

limbs that are attached to the axial body

proximal

closer to the axial body, toward the trunk

distal

further from the axial body, further from the trunk

superficial

closer to the surface of the body

deep

further away from the surface of the body

cephalic

head

cranial

skull

frontal

forehead

ocular

eye

otic

ear

nasal

nose

buccal

cheek

oral

mouth

mental

chin

occipital

base of skull

cervical

neck

thoracic

chest

axillary

armpit

mammary

breast

sternal

breastbone

abdominal

abdomen

umbilical

naval/bellybutton

pelvic

pelvis

inguinal

groin

pubic

genitals

perineal

genitals to anus

dorsal

back

vetebral

spine

lumbar

loins/ lower back

sacral

between hips

gluteal

buttocks

acromial

shoulder

brachial

arm

antecubital

front of elbow

olecranal

back of elbow

antebrachial

forearm

carpal

wrist

manual

hand

palmar

palm

pollex

thumb

digital

fingers and toes

coxal

side of hip

femoral

thigh

patellar

front of knee

popliteal

back of knee

crural

front of leg

sural

calf

pedal

foot

calcaneal

heel

tarsal

ankle

metatarsal

beyond tarsal

hallux

big toe

plantar

sole of feet

metacarpal

beyond carpal

sagittal plane

vertical plane that divides body into a left and right portion

midsagittal/median plane

divides the body down the midline

parasagittal plane

uneven sagittal plane

oblique planes

plane that is any type of angle other than horizontal or vertical

transverse/horizontal plane

divides the body into a top/superior and bottom/inferior portion

frontal/coronal plane

vertical plane that divides the body into front/anterior side and a back/posterior side