Body Planes and Directional Terms Flashcards
Coronal (Frontal)
Vertical plane that divides the body into front and back sections
Sagittal
Vertical plane that divides the body into left and right sections
Median (Mid-Sagittal)
Lies on the midline
Transverse
Horizontal plane that divides the body into top and bottom sections
Superior (Cranial or Cephalic)
Toward the top (Toward the head)
Inferior (Caudal)
Toward the bottom (Toward the tail or coccyx)
Anterior (Ventral)
Toward the front (Toward the belly)
Posterior (Dorsal)
Toward the back
Medial
Toward the midline
Lateral
Toward the side
Proximal
Closer to the trunk or origin point of a body part
Distal
Away from the trunk or origin point of a body part
Superficial
Closer to the body’s surface
Deep
Away from the body’s surface
Axial
Central part of body (Includes head, neck, and trunk)
Appendicular (Appendages)
Upper and lower limbs
Serous Membrane (Serosa)
Secrete serous fluid that prevents friction between organs and cavities
Visceral (Inner Layer)
Visceral layer of serous membrane that covers an organ
Parietal (Outer Layer)
Parietal layer of serous membrane that lines the walls of cavities
Cross-Section
A transverse cut through a structure
Oblique
A diagonal position
Anatomical Position
Standing erect, face forward, hands at sides, palms forward
Intermediate
Between two structures
Bilateral
On both sides of the body
