Frontal or coronal planes means vertical plane passing through the body from side to side, dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Midsagittal plane means vertical plane passing through the body from front to back at the midline, dividing the body equally into the right and left halves.

Parasagittal plane means vertical plane passing through the body from front to back, dividing the body unequally left and right sides.

sagittal plane means vertical plane passing through the body from front to back, dividing the body into right and left sides (any plane parallel to the midsagittal plane)

Transverse plane means horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions.

Fowler position means simi-sitting position with slight elevation of the knees.

Lateral recumbent position means lying on the side; right and left precede the term to indicate the patient's side.

Lithotomy position means lying on back with legs raised and feet in stirrups, hips and knees flexed, thighs abducted (away from body) and externally rotated.

Orthopnea position means sitting upright in a chair or in a bed supported by pillows behind the back. Sometimes the patient tilts forward resting on a pillow supported by an overbed table (also called orthopneic position).

Prone position means lying on abdomen, facing downward (head may be turned to one side) (also called ventral recumbent position)

Recumbent Position means lying down in any position (also called decubitus position).

Sims position means lying on side in a simi-prone position with the knee drawn up toward the chest and the arm drawn behind parallel to the back. Right and left precede the term to indicate the patient's right or left side. Originally, the term specifically indicated the patient's left side; therefore, if the term Sims position is used without a description of right or left, it is assumed the patient is to be placed on the left side.

Supine position means lying on back, facing upward (also called dorsal recumbent position)

Trendelenburg Position means lying on back with body tilted so that the head is lower than the feet.

Epigastric region means superior to the umbilical region.

Hypochondriac region means to the right and left of the epigastric region.

iliac regions mean to the right and left of the hypogastric region, near the groin (also called inguinal regions)

lumbar regions mean to the right and left of the umbilical region, near the waist.

umbilical region mean around the naval (umbilicus)

Left lower quadrant refers to the area encompassing portions of the small and large intestines, the left ureter, and the left ovary and uterine tube in women or the left spermatic duct in men.

Left upper quadrant refers to the area encompassing the left lobe of the liver, the stomach, the spleen, lateral portion of the pancreas, and portions of the small and large intestines.

Right lower quadrant refers to the area encompassing portions of the small and large intestines, the appendix, the right ureter, and the right ovary and uterine tube in women or the right spermatic duct in men.

Right upper quadrant refers to the area encompassing the right lobe of the liver, the gallbladder, medial portion of the pancreas, and portions of the small and large intestines.