Anatomical Directions

Rhodes Quater 4

anterior

front or forward end of the body

posterior

rear or trailing end of the body

dorsal

top or upper side of the body

ventral

bottom or underside of the body

medial

lying on or near the midline

lateral

away from the midline

superior

at a higher position or location

inferior

at a lower position or location

superficial

lying at or near the surface

deep

lying away from the surface

proximal

lying nearer to the point of attachment

distal

lying away from the point of attachment

cranial

pertaining to the head

caudal

pertaining to the tail

anatomical planes

indicate how an animal’s body may be divided along various planes. These planes have alternate names so I have included both.

coronal plane

parallel to axis; divides dorsal and ventral

sagittal Plane

parallel to axis; divides into left and right

axial plane

perpendicular to the axis

frontal plane

parallel to axis; divides dorsal and ventral

lateral plane

parallel to axis; divides into left and right

transverse Plane

perpendicular to the axis