Orientation To The Body Flashcards
Median Plane
Section A of image
The median plane is the midline longitudinal plane dividing the head and torso into right and left halves. The presence of the sectioned midline of the vertical column and spinal cord is characteristic of this plane. Planes parallel to the median plane are sagittal. Watch out! “Medial” is not a plane.
Sagittal Plane
Section B of the image
The Sagittal plane is a longitudinal plane dividing the body (head, torso, limbs) or its parts into left and right parts (not halves). It is parallel to the median plane. The median sagittal plane is the specific sagittal plane that runs down the midline of the body.
Coronal/Frontal Plane
Section C of image
The coronal or frontal plane is a longitudinal plane dividing the body or its parts into front and back halves or parts. These planes are perpendicular to the median and sagittal planes.
Transverse/Cross Plane
Section D of image
The transverse Crossplain divides the body into upper and lower halves or parts (cross-sections). This plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal planes. Transverse planes are horizontal planes of the body in the anatomical position.
Anatomic Planes and Sections
Study of the human body requires an organized visualization of its internal parts. Dissection (dis, apart; sect, cut) is the term given to preparation of the body for general or specific internal inspection. Internal body structure is studied in sections cut along imaginary flat surfaces called planes. These planes are applied to the erect, standing body with limbs extended along the sides of the body, palms and toes forward, thumbs outward.
The three primary anatomical planes are the sagittal plane (divides the body into left and right), coronal plane (also called frontal plane) (divides the body into anterior and posterior), and the transverse plane (also called horizontal plane) which divides the body into superior and inferior sections; all three planes run perpendicular to each other.
Anatomic images may be produced by computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
CT definition
Computerized tomography
CT scanners use a rotating X-ray tube and a row of detectors placed in a gantry to measure X-ray attenuations by different tissues inside the body. The multiple X-ray measurements taken from different angles are then processed on a computer using tomographic reconstruction algorithms to produce tomographic (cross-sectional) images (virtual “slices”) of a body. CT scans can be used in patients with metallic implants or pacemakers, for whom magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is contraindicated.
MRI definition
Magnetic resonance imaging
MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body. MRI does not involve X-rays or the use of ionizing radiation, which distinguishes it from computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Terms of position and direction
Terms of position and direction describe relationship of one structure on/in the body to another with reference to the anatomical position: body standing erect limbs, extended palms of the hands forward, thumbs directed outwardly.
Cranial/Superior
Section A of image
Cranial and superior referred to a structure being closer to the top of the head than another structure in the head, neck, or torso (excluding limbs).
Anterior Ventral and Anterior Rostral
Section B and B1 of image
Anterior refers to a structure being more in front than another structure in the body. Ventral refers to the abdominal side; and by peds, it is synonymous with interior. Rostral refers to a beak-like structure in the front of the head or brain that projects forward.
Label A
Median plane
Label B
Sagittal plane
Label C
Coronal plane
Frontal plane
Label D
Transverse plane
Cross plane
Posterior/Dorsal
Letter C
Posterior and dorsal referred to a structure being more in back than another structure in the body. Dorsal is synonymous with posterior (the preferred term) except in quadrupeds.
Medial
D
Medial refers to a structure that is closer to the median plane and another structure in the body.
Lateral
E
Lateral refers to a structure that is further away from the median plane that another structure in the body.
Proximal
F
Employed only with reference to the limbs, proximal refers to structure being closer to the median plane or route of the limb then another structure in the limb.
Distal
G
Employed only with reference to the limbs, distal refers to a structure being further away from the median plane or the root of the limb and another structure in the limb.
DJ
😂
Caudal/Inferior
H
Caudal and inferior referred to a structure being closer to the feet or lower part of the body and another structure in the body. These terms are not used with respect to limbs. in quadrupeds, caudal means closer to the tail.
Superficial
I
The terms superficial is synonymous with external. Related to the reference point on the chest wall, a structure closer to the surface of the body is superficial.
Deep
J
The term deep is synonymous with internal. To the reference point on the chest wall, a structure further away from the surface is deep.
Ipsilateral
K
Ipsilateral means “on the same side “ (in this case, as the reference point).
