Anatomical Planes/directions Flashcards
Anatomical Position
Standing straight up, feet + palms forward
Sagittal plane
Divides body vertically into unequal left & right halves
Midsagittal plane
Divides the body vertically into equal left & right halves
Frontal/coronal plane
Divides the body into front & back (anterior & posterior)
Transverse/horizontal plane
Dividing the body horizontally into top & bottom (superior & inferior)
Superior
Closer to the head, high on the body
Inferior
Closer to the feet, low on the body
Anterior
At/near front of the body (face)
Posterior
At/near back of the body (shoulder blade)
Medial
Towards the midline/middle
Lateral
Away from the midline, moving to the right or left side
Distal
Further from the midline or origination of a body structure
Proximal
Nearer from the midline or origination of a body structure
Superficial
Closer to the surface of the body (skin)
Deep
Closer to the core, away from surface of body
Ventral
Towards the front (belly side)
Dorsal
Towards the back
Prone
Lying face down
Supine
Lying face up
Bilateral
Both sides of the body
Unilateral
One side of the body
