TOPIC 1: Anatomical Planes

Anatomical Positon:

Standing straight up, feet flat on the ground, arms at your sides, & palms facing forward.

Superior

“above” something else

Inferior

“below” something else

Anterior

towards the front of the body or structure.

Posterior/Dorsal

towards the back of the body or structure.

Proximal

closer to the attachment point

Distal

farther from the attachment point

Central

towards the brain OR spinal cord

Peripheral

away from the brain OR spinal cord

Superficial

close to the body’s surface

Deep

closer to the inside of the body

Medial

towards the middle

Lateral

away from the middle (towards a side)

Supine

body laying face UP

Prone

body laying face DOWN

Sagittal Plane

down the middle. divides left & right portions

Frontal/Coronal Plane

divides into front & back. anterior & posterior.

Transverse Plane

divides the body into superior & inferior portions