Anatomical Positions Flashcards
Superior (Cranial)
Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above. Ex The head is superior to the abdomen.
Inferior (caudal)
Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below. ex. the naval is inferior to the chin.
Ventral (anterior)
Toward or at the front of the body; in front of. Ex. The breast bone is anterior to the spine.
Dorsal (posterior)
toward or at the back of the body; behind. The heart is posterior to the breastbone.
Medial
Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of. ex. The heart is medial to the arm.
Lateral
Away from the midlineof the body; on the outer side of. ex. The arms are lateral to the chest.
Intermediate
Between a more medial and a more lateral structure. ex. the collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and the shoulder.
Proximal
Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk. ex the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
Distal
Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk. ex the knee is distal to the thigh.
Superficial (external)
toward or at the body surface. ex the skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles
Deep (internal)
Away from the body surface, more internal. Ex. the lungs are deep to the skin
Sagittal Plane
A vertical plane the divides the body into left & right
Median Plane (midsagittal plane)
A sagittal plane that lies exactly on the midline
Frontal Planes (coronal plane)
Lies vertical on the body divides the body into anterior and posterior.
Transverse plane (horizontal plane)
Lies horizontal from left to right dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.
