Anatomical terms Flashcards
Transverse Plane
A plane that is parallel to the ground, such that it divides the body into inferior and superior.
Frontal plane
A plane that is perpendicular to the ground, such that it divides the body into anterior and posterior.
Coronal plane
A frontal plane through the head
Sagittal plane (medial plane)
A plane that is perpendicular to the ground, such that it divides the body into left and right
Midsagittal plane
A sagittal plane at the midline that cuts the body into equal halves
Parasagittal plane
A sagittal plane that is offset from the midline
Axial
Forming the bodys main axis
Appendicular
The appendages attached to the bodys axis
Superior
A structure above another
Cephalic
Referring to the head
Inferior
A structure below another
Caudal
A structure closer to the tail
Anterior
Toward the front of the body
Posterior
Toward the back of the body
Ventral
Toward the belly
Dorsal
Toward the back
Medial
Toward the midline of the body
Lateral
Away from the midline of hte body
Intermediate
Located between two structures
Proximal
On the appendicular skeleton, a structure closer to the point of attachment to the axial skeleton than another structure
Distal
On the appendicular skeleton, a structure further away from the point of attachment to the axial skeleton than another structure
Superficial (external)
A structure toward or at the surface of the body
Deep (internal)
A structure away from the surface of the body
