Directional Terms and Planes Flashcards
What is the “median plane”?
An imaginary plane passing through the body craniocaudaly, which divides the body into equal right and left halves.
What is the “sagittal plane”?
Any plane parallel to the median plane.
What is the “transverse plane”?
At right angles to the median plane and divides the body into cranial and caudal segments.
What is the “horizontal plane”?
At right angles to both the median plane and transverse planes. The horizontal plane divides the body into dorsal and
ventral segments.
What is “cranial”?
A directional term meaning toward the head.
What is “caudal”?
A directional term meaning toward the tail.
What is “dorsal”?
A directional term meaning toward or beyond the backbone or vertebral column.
What is “ventral”?
Away from the vertebral column and towards the mid-abdominal wall.
What is “medial”?
Close or toward the median plane.
What is “lateral”?
away from the median plane.
