Anatomical Position and Body Planes: Key Terms for Anatomy Students

Anatomical Position

The body is erect, feet are slightly apart, palms are anterior (facing forward), thumbs are lateral (pointing away from the body - outward).

Superior/Inferior

above and below

Anterior/Posterior

front and back

Medial/Lateral

toward midline and away from midline

Proximal/Distal

closer to the trunk and away from the trunk

Superficial/Deep

towards outer surface and toward interior

Dorsal/Ventral

backside and bellyside

Cranial/Caudal

toward head and tail

Sagittal Plane

Vertical Plane that divides into left and right parts.

Midsagittal

runs along midline and divides body into equal halves, left & right.

Parasagittal

unequal left & right, NOT along midline.

Frontal Plane

Vertical Plane that divides into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse Plane/Cross Section

Horizontal Line that divides superior and inferior parts.

Oblique Section

Diagonal cut - not commonly used.

Supine

Laying face up.

Prone

Laying face down.

Lateral position

lying on one's side.

Fowler's position

Supine with head elevated.

Trendelenburg position

supine with feet elevated.

Cranial Cavity

contains brain.

Vertebral Cavity

contains spinal column.

Thoracic Cavity

surrounded by ribs and chest muscles.

Abdominal Cavity

contains stomach, intestines, spleen, liver.

Pelvic Cavity

contains bladder, reproductive organs, rectum.

Oral

mouth.

Orbital

eye sockets.

Buccal

cheek.

Cervical

neck.

Thoracic

chest.

Axillary

armpit.

Brachial

arm.

Antecubital

elbow.

Antebrachial

forearm.

Abdominal

anterior body trunk/stomach region.

Umbilical

belly button.

Inguinal

groin region (where thigh meets body).

Femoral

thigh.

Patellar

knee cap.

Digital

fingers/toes 'digits'.

Hallux

big toe.

Pollex

thumb.

Occipital

base of skull.

Deltoid

curve of shoulder.

Scapular

shoulder blade.

Lumbar

low back.

Gluteal

buttocks.

Popliteal

back of knee.

Sural

posterior lower leg/calf.

Calcaneal

heel of foot.

RUQ

Right Upper Quadrant.

RLQ

Right Lower Quadrant.

LUQ

Left Upper Quadrant.

LLQ

Left Lower Quadrant.

Foot is distal to the knee

Thumb is lateral to the pinky

Stomach is anterior to the spine

Head is superior to the neck

Elbow is proximal to the wrist

Shoulder is proximal to the hand

Heart is deep to the skin