Anatomical Directions and Planes

superior

toward the head/upper part

inferior

away from the head/toward the lower part

anterior

front of the body

posterior

back of the body

anatomical position

standing feet flat on the floor, hands at the side and palms facing foward

supine

lying down, face up

prone

lying down, face down

medial

towards the middle (midline)

lateral

away and to the side of the midline

ipsilateral

on the same side

contralateral

on opposite sides

proximal

nearest point of attachment to limb

distal

farthest away from attachment of limb

superficial

toward the surface of the body

deep

away from the surface

sagittal plane

separates into left and right sides

frontal/coronal plane

separates into anterior and posterior sections (crown)

transverse plane

horizontal; separates into superior and inferior sections

oblique

passes through at an angle