Anatomic Directions

Antero-

Front

Circum-

Around

Epi-

On, following

Infra-

below, beneath

Inter-

between

Intra-

within

Latero-

side

Peri-

around, surrounding

Postero-

back

Proximo-

near point of origin

Retro-

backward, behind

Sub-

below, beneath

Super-

above

Supra-

above

Ventro-

Belly

Caudal

Tail

Cephal/o

head

Dorsal

back

Inferior

below

Medi/o

Middle

Plane

imaginary flat surface used to divide the body or organs into distinct areas

Unilateral

Pertaining to one side only

Bilateral

pertaining to both sides

Distal

away from the trunk or attachment point

Proximal

closest to the trunk or attachment point

Superficial

near the surface

Deep

Away from the surface

Anteroposterior

from the front to the back

Anatomic position

body in standard reference position: standing erect, arms at the sides, palms facing forward

Decubitus

lying down

Dorsal recumbent

lying on back with legs bent and feet flat

Fowler position

lying on back with head of bed raised 45 degrees

Semirecumbent

Synonymous with Fowler position

Lateral recumbent

lying on the side

prone

lying face down

supine

lying face up

frontal plane

vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior halves

coronal plane

synonymous with frontal plane

Sagittal plane

vertical plane dividing the body into left and right halves

Transverse plane

horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior halves