Planes & Directions Flashcards
Anatomical position
- body erect
- palms out
- arms forward
- face forward
Sagittal
aka Lateral
- divided into left and right
- like how you would cut apple
Coronal
aka Frontal
- divided into front and back
- like how bread is sliced
Transverse
aka Horizontal
- divided into upper and lower
- like layers of hamburger
Superior (cranial)
from a high position
ex. brain is superior to heart
Inferior (caudal)
from a low position
ex. heart is inferior to brain
Anterior (ventral)
toward the stomach
ex. sternum is anterior to heart
Posterior (dorsal)
toward the back
ex. the spine is posterior to stomach
Medial
toward the body midline
ex. heart is medial to the ribs
Lateral
away from the body midline
ex. ribs are lateral to heart
Proximal
point nearest limb’s attachments
ex. shoulder is proximal to elbow
Distal
point farthest from limbs attachment
ex. ankle is distal to knee
Peripheral
toward the outer surface
ex. the cell wall is peripheral
Central
toward the center
ex. the cell nucleus is central
Ipsilateral
same side
Contralateral
opposite side
Adduct
bring structures together
Abduct
move structures apart
Flexion
to bend a joint
Extension
to straighten a joint
supine
lying with ventral surface up
(laying on back)
pronate
lying with ventral surface down
(laying on stomach)
Anatomical approach
based on gross anatomy of nervous system (CNS and PNS)
Functional approach
based on function of nervous system
(voluntary and involuntary)
Developmental approach
based on development of nervous system and neurodevelopment terms
