Anatomical-Positions

Anatomical Planes and Positions

Planes of the Body

  • Sagittal Plane

    • Also known as the Median Plane.

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

    • Midsagittal Plane: Divides body into equal left and right.

    • Parasagittal Plane: A vertical cut away from the middle.

  • Transverse Plane (Axial/Horizontal)

    • A horizontal cut that divides the body into upper and lower (superior and inferior) parts.

  • Coronal Plane (Frontal)

    • A vertical cut that separates the front (anterior) from the back (posterior) of the body.

Anatomical Positions

  • Anterior

    • Front view (towards the front).

  • Posterior

    • Back view (towards the back).

  • Dorsal

    • Towards the spine.

  • Ventral

    • Towards the belly.

  • Superior/Cranial

    • Towards the head or top of the body.

  • Inferior/Caudal

    • Towards the feet or bottom of the body.

  • Medial

    • Near the middle or center of the body.

  • Lateral

    • Away from the center or middle of the body.

Dissecting Procedures Example

  • When instructed to cut the frog in the transverse plane, laterally near the caudal, it means:

    • Make a horizontal cut away from the body towards the legs (hindquarters).

    • This procedure indicates performing the cut away from the belly and focusing on the limbs (feet) of the frog.