human anatomy - planes, directions, and regions

anatomical position

To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands turned forward

coronal plane

An imaginary plane where the body is cut into front and back parts.

sagittal plane

vertical division of the body into right and left portions

median plane

divides the body into equal left and right halves

transverse plane

horizontal division of the body into upper and lower portions

axes

The two perpendicular lines of a coordinate plane that intersect at the origin

superior

above

inferior

Lower on the body, farther from the head

anterior

front of the body

posterior

toward the back

cranial

skull

caudal

toward the tail

dorsal

toward the back

ventral

Toward the belly

proximal

Closer to the point of attachment

distal

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

medial

Toward the midline of the body

lateral

Away from the midline of the body

prone

(adj.) lying face down

supine

lying on the back

superficial

near the surface

deep

Away from the body surface; more internal

ipsilateral

on the same side of the body

contralateral

on the opposite side of the body

frontal

pertaining to the forehead

temporal

Side of skull, temple

orbital

eye cavity area

buccal

cheek area

oral

pertaining to the mouth

mandibular

pertaining to the lower jaw

anterior cervical

front of neck

lateral cervical

side of neck

Supraclavicular

Area above clavicle

thorax

chest, pleural cavity

pectoral

pertaining to the chest

abdominopelvic

pertaining to the abdomen and pelvis

inguinal

pertaining to the groin

pelvic

pelvis region

pubic

genital region

genital

reproductive organs

pudendal

female genitals

perineal

between pubis and cocyx

deltoid

shoulder

axillary

armpit

brachial

arm

antebrachial

forearm

antecubital

front of elbow

carpal

wrist

palmar

palmof hand

digital

fingers

coxal

hip region

femoral

thigh region

patellar

knee cap region

crural

lower leg region

fibular

lateral leg region

tarsal

ankle region

dorsum

top of foot

digital

fingers and toes

parietal

top and sides of head

occipital

back of head region

posterior cervical

back of neck

nuchal

back of neck (one word)

scapular

shoulder blade region

vertebral

spinal column region

paraspinal

alone side of spinal column

thoracic

posterior chest region

lumbar

lower back region

sacroiliac

vertebro-pelvic joint region

sacral

posterior pelvis region

coccygeal

tail bone region

acromial

top of shoulder

cubital

elbow

gluteal

buttock region

pupliteal

back of knee region

sural

Calf or posterior surface of the leg

plantar

foot sole

sacroiliac

hip area

thoracic

sacral

ventral cavity

located along the front of the body, contains the body organs that sustain homeostasis