anatomy - directional terms

sagittal plane

coronal plane

transverse plane

C

medial

D

lateral

D

ventral

E

anterior

F

posterior

A

rostral

E

superior

F

inferior

B

caudal

A

distal

B

proximal

flexion

movement that decreases the angle between structures

extension

movement that increases the angle between structures

abduction

movement of a limb away from the midline of the body

adduction

movement of a limb towards the midline of the body

midline

line running through the body from bottom to top

buccal

towards the cheek

lingual

towards the tongue

mesial

closer to the midline of the mouth