Anatomical Directions

Anatomical Directions:  These are the primary terms to indicate position or location.  Please notice that

  These are listed in pairs.  Each term in a pair is the opposite of the other.

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

Left

Remember that these are relative and points of view must be considered.

Right

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

Anatomical Planes         Animals Humans

Coronal Plane (Frontal Plane) :      Parallel to axis; divides Parallel to axis; divides

dorsal and ventral dorsal (posterior) and 

ventral (anterior)

Sagittal Plane (Lateral Plane):        Parallel to axis; divides Parallel to axis;  divides

into left and right into left and right

Axial Plane  (Transverse Plane):   Perpendicular to the axis; Perpendicular to the axis;

divides into anterior and posterior divides into superior and inferior