A&P Unit 1: Body Planes, Directional Terms & Surface Anatomy Terms

Sagittal (Median) Plane

Body plane that divides body down the midline (creates left and right halves); 2 terms for this plane

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

Body plane that divides body into front and back half; 2 terms for this plane

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Body plane that divides body into upper and lower portions (in humans ~at the umbilical line) ; 2 terms for this plane

Superior

Directional term that means closer to head

Inferior

Directional term that means closer to feet

Posterior

Directional term that means towards the rear of the body

Anterior

Directional term that means towards the front of the body

Medial

Directional term that means closer to the midline of the body

Lateral

Directional term that means further away from the midline of the body

Distal

Directional term that refers to point on an appendage that is further away from the trunk or midline

Proximal

Directional term that refers to point on an appendage that is closer to the trunk or midline

Superficial

Directional term that means closer to the surface of the body

Deep

Directional term that means deeper in the body

Inguinal

Mental

Coxal

Orbital

Buccal

Oral

Occipital

Cubital or Olecranon

Antebrachial

Axillary

Deltoid

Gluteal

Patellar

Antecubital

Acromial

Cervical