Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
Superior or cranial
Toward the head of the body; upper
Inferior or caudal
Away from the head; lower
Anterior or ventral
Front
Posterior or dorsal
Back
Medial
Toward the midline of the body
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body
Proximal
Toward or nearest the trunk or point of origin of a part
Distal
Away from or farthest from the trunk or the point of origin of a part
Coronal plane (frontal plane)
A vertical plane from side to side that divides the body or parts into anterior and posterior portions.
Sagittal (anteroposterior) plane
A vertical plane from front to back that divides the body or parts into right and left sides.
Median (midsagittal) plane
A sagittal plane through the body’s midline that divides the body or parts into right and left halves.
Parasagittal plane
Other sagittal planes parallel to median plane.
Axial (transverse or horizontal) plane
A horizontal plane that divides the body or any of its parts into upper and lower parts.
