Unit 1 - Body Planes and Orientations

Lateral

away from mid-line of body

Medial

toward mid-line of body

Ventral

toward the belly side

Dorsal

toward the back side of body

Frontal/Coronal Plane

splits anterior and posterior parts of body

Transverse/Axial Plane

splits cranial and caudal parts of body

Median/Sagittal Plane

splits right and left sides of body

Cranial

toward the head end

Caudal

toward the rear end

Cephalic

head region (forehead, eyes, nose, cheek, mouth, chin)

Thoracic

chest region (armpit, breast, chest, sternum)

Abdonimal

stomach region

Pelvic

hip and groin region

Cervical

neck region

Upper extremity

shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, palm and finger region

Lower extremity

thigh, kneecap, leg, calf, heel, sole, ankle, foot, and toe region

Contralateral

opposite side

Ipsilateral

on the same side

Articulating surfaces

Condyle: large, smooth, rounded, oval structure

Facet: small, flat, shallow surface

Head: prominent, rounded epiphysis

Trochlea: smooth, grooved, pullylike process

Depressions

Alveolus: deep pit or socket in the maxillae or mandible

Fossa: flattened or shallow depression

Sulcus: narrow groove

Projections

Crest: narrow, prominent, ridgelike projection

Epicondyle: projection adjacent to a condyle

Line: low ridge

Process: any marked bony prominence

Ramus: angular extension of a bone relative to the rest of the structure

Spine: pointed, slender process

Trochanter: massive, rough projection found only on the femur

Tubercle: small, round projection

Tuberosity: large, rough projection

Openings and spaces

canal: passageway through a bone
Fissure: narrow, slitlike opening through a bone

Foramen: opening or hole in a bone

Meatus: passageway through a bone

Sinus: cavity or hollow space in a bone