Anatomical Position and Directional Terms and Body Planes

Anatomical position

Anatomical reference point/standard body position; body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward, and thumbs pointing away from body

Superior (cranial)

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

Inferior (caudal)

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

Ventral (anterior)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of

Dorsal (posterior)

Toward or at the back of th ebody; behind

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on th einner side of

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

Intermediate

Between a more medial and more lateral structure

Proximal

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

Distal

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

Superficial (external)

Toward or at the body surface

Deep (internal)

Away from the body surface; more internal

Ipsilateral

On same side of body

Contralateral

On opposite sides of body

Superior (cranial) (sentence)

The head is _____ to the abdomen.

Inferior (caudal) (sentence)

The navel (belly button) is _____ to the chin.

Ventral (anterior) (sentence)

The breastbone is _____ to the spine.

Dorsal (posterior) (sentence)

The heart is _____ to the breastbone.

Medial (sentence)

The heart is _____ to the arm.

Lateral (sentence)

The arms are _____ to the chest.

Intermediate (sentence)

The collarbone is _____ between the breastbone and shoulder.

Proximal (sentence)

The elbow is _____ to the wrist.

Distal (sentence)

The knee is _____ to the thigh.

Superficial (external) (sentence)

The skin is _____ to the skeletal muscles.

Deep (internal) (sentence)

The lungs are _____ to the skin.

Ipsilateral (sentence)

The right arm and right leg are _____ .

Contralateral (sentence)

The right arm and left arm are _____ .

Superior (cranial) (figure)

Inferior (caudal) (figure)

Ventral (anterior) (figure)

Dorsal (posterior) (figure)

Medial (figure)

Lateral (figure)

Intermediate (figure)

Proximal (figure)

Distal (figure)

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into unequal left and right parts

Transverse Plane

divides the body into superior and inferior portions

Midsagittal plane

divides body directly down midline

Frontal plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior portions

Sagittal Plane

Frontal Plane

Midsagittal plane

Transverse Plane