Anatomical Terms Flashcards
Frontal plane
(imaginary) Line that divides the body or any of its parts into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts; at right angle to the sagittal plane
Transverse plane
(imaginary) Horizontal line that divides the body or any of its parts into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) sections
Sagittal plane
(imaginary) Line that divides the body or any of its parts into right and left sections; at right angle to the frontal plane
Anterior (ventral)
Toward the front
Posterior (dorsal)
Toward the back
Superior
Toward the head
Inferior
Away from the head
Medial
Toward the midline of the body
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body
Proximal
Toward the attached end of the limb, origin of the structure, or midline of the body
Distal
Away from the attached and of the limb, origin of the structure, or midline of the body
Superficial
External; located close to or on the body surface
Deep
Internal; located further beneath the body surface than the superficial structures
Cervical
Regional term referring to the neck
Thoracic
Regional term referring to the portion of the body between the neck and the abdomen; also known as the chest (thorax)
