Anatomic planes & Terms of position and direction Flashcards
In human dissection, what is the Median plane?
A vertical plane dissecting the body into two symmetrical, side by side, left and right halves directly down the middle.
In human dissection, what is the Sagittal plane?
A vertical plane dissecting the body into two, side by side, left and right parts, on either side of the body, parallel to the median plane.
In human dissection, what is the Coronal(Frontal) plane?
A vertical plane dissecting the body into two asymmetrical front and back halves. Or two front and back parts.
In human dissection, what is the Transverse(Cross) plane?
A horizontal plane dissecting the body into two, asymmetrical, top and bottom, or upper and lower halves, or parts.
In terms of position and direction, what does Cranial, or Superior refer to?
Cranial, or Superior refers to a structure being closer to the top of the head than another structure in the body(excluding limbs).
In terms of position and direction, what does Anterior refer to?
Anterior refers to a structure being closer to the front of the body than another structure in the body.
In terms of position and direction, what does Posterior refer to?
Posterior refers to a structure being closer to the back than another structure in the body.
In terms of position and direction, what does Medial refer to?
Medial refers to a structure that is closer to the median plane than another structure in the body.
In terms of position and direction, what does Lateral refer to?
Lateral refers to a structure that is further away from the median plane than another structure in the body.
In terms of position and direction, what does Proximal refer to?
Proximal, exclusively in the limbs, refers to a structure being closer to the median plane, or the root of the limb than another structure in the limb.
In terms of position and direction, what does Distal refer to?
Distal, exclusively in the limbs, refers to a structure being further away from the median plane or the root of the limb than another structure in the limb.
In terms of position and direction, what does Caudal, or Inferior refer to?
Caudal, or inferior, refers to a structure being closer to the feet, or lower part of the body than another structure in the body(excluding the limbs).
What does the term Superficial mean?
Superficial means external, on the surface, or closer to the surface of the body.
What does the term Deep mean?
Deep means internal, or further away from the surface of the body.
What does the term Ipsilateral mean?
Ipsilateral means “on the same side”.
What does the term Contralateral mean?
Contralateral means “on the opposite side”
In terms of position and direction, what does Rostral refer to?
Rostral refers to a beak-like structure in the front of the head or brain that projects forward.
