anatomical planes

Anatomical Planes

• Sagittal Plane

  • Extends vertically and divides the body into right and left portions.

  • Mid Sagittal (Median):

    • Passes through the midline of the body, dividing it into equal right and left halves.

  • Parasagittal:

    • Divides the body into unequal right and left portions.

• Frontal Plane

  • Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

• Transverse Plane

  • Passes across the body or an organ, dividing it into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

Anatomical Directions

• Anterior:

  • Toward the front of the body.

• Posterior:

  • Toward the back of the body.

• Superior:

  • Above or toward the head.

• Inferior:

  • Below or away from the head.

• Medial:

  • Toward the midline of the body.

• Lateral:

  • Away from the midline of the body.

• Proximal:

  • Closer to the point of attachment of the limbs.

• Distal:

  • Further away from the point of attachment of the limbs.