Anatomical Directional Terms and Body Planes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers anatomical directional terms, body planes and sections, and their practical application in describing the relative positions of body parts.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Superior

Above or toward the head.

Inferior

Below or toward the feet.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Farther from the surface of the body.

Midsagittal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Parasagittal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into unequal right and left portions.

Frontal (coronal) plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

A plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

The Ear is ______ to the Mouth

Lateral and posterior

The Nose is __________ to the Ears

Medial and anterior

The Eyes are _____ to the Mouth

Superior and lateral

The Mouth is _____ to the Eyes

Inferior and medial

The Shoulders are _____ to Navel

Superior and lateral

The Navel (bellybutton) is ______ to the Shoulders

Inferior and medial

The Sternum is ______ to Shoulders

Medial

The Heart is ______ to the Sternum

Posterior

The Sternum is ______ to the Heart

Anterior

The Lungs are ______ to the Heart

Lateral

The Heart is _____ to the Lungs

Medial

The Skin is _____ to Skeletal Muscles

Superficial

The Skeletal Muscles are ____ to Skin

Deep

The Ribs are ____ to the Lungs

Superficial

The Lungs are ____ to the Ribs

Deep

The Elbow is ______ to the Wrist

Proximal

The Wrist is ____ to the Elbow

Distal

The Shoulder is _____to the Elbow

Proximal

Fingers are ____ to the Elbow

Distal

the Knee is ____ to the Ankle

Proximal

The Ankle is ____ to the Knee

Distal

The Hip is ____ to the Knee

Superior and proximal

The Knee is ____ to the Hip

Inferior and distal

The Elbow is _____ to the Fingers

Superior and proximal

The Fingers are ___ to the Elbow

Inferior and distal