Anatomical Terminology & Directional Terms

Ungulates

Hooved animals.

Artiodactyls

Even numbered-toed ungulates.

Perissodactyls

Odd numbered-toed ungulates.

Median Plane

Runs through the longitudinal midline of the body dividing it into symmetrical halves.

Sagittal Plane

Lies parallel to the median plane; also referred to as a paramedian plane.

Transverse Plane

Runs through the cross-section of the body part; perpendicular to the long axis of head, neck, trunk, tail and limbs.

Dorsal Plane

Divides the head and body into upper (dorsal) and lower (ventral) parts.

Cranial

Towards the head.

Caudal

Towards the tail.

Rostral

Towards the nose (when on head).

Dorsal

Towards topside/backline of body.

Ventral

Towards underside/'belly' of trunk.

Superficial

Relatively near the surface of the body or surface of a solid organ.

Deep

Relatively near the center of the body or center of a solid organ.

External

Away from center of an organ or structure.

Internal

Close to, or towards center of organ, body cavity, or structure.

Medial

Towards the median plane.

Lateral

Away from median plane.

Proximal

Up the limb, i.e. in closer proximity to body.

Distal

Down the limb, i.e. more distant from body.

Abaxial

Away from axis.

Axial

Towards axis.

Median Plane (axis)

Axis of head, neck, trunk, tail

Cranial Side (limb)

Describing the side of a limb (above the carpus/tarsus) facing the head

Caudal Side (limb)

Describing the side of a limb (above the carpus/tarsus) facing the tail

Dorsal Side (limb)

Describing the side of a limb (at/below the carpus/tarsus) facing the head

Palmar/Plantar (limb)

Describing the side of a limb (at/below the carpus/tarsus) facing the tail

Etymology

The study of a word's origin and its subsequent history of use up to present day languages