Planes of the Body and Terms

Question 1

anatomical position

Answer 1

standardized view of the body in which the figure is standing upright with upper limbs at sides, palm forward, and the eyes looking straight ahead

Question 2

midsagittal (median) plane

Answer 2

plane which divides the body into right and left halves

Question 3

parasagittal (paramedian) plane

Answer 3

any vertical plane that is parallel to the midsagittal position

Question 4

coronal (frontal) plane

Answer 4

plane located perpendicular to the midsagittal plane which runs from ear-to-ear across the top of the head and extending to the feet, dividing the body into front and rear positions

Question 5

transverse (horizontal) plane

Answer 5

plane which is perpendicular to both the midsagittal and coronal planes, running parallel to the floor

Question 6

anterior (ventral)

Answer 6

used to describe structures that are located closer to the front of the body

Question 7

posterior (dorsal)

Answer 7

used to describe structures that are located closer to the back

Question 8

superior (cranial)

Answer 8

used to refer to structures that are located closer to the head

Question 9

inferior (caudal)

Answer 9

used to refer to structures that are located closer to the feet

Question 10

medial

Answer 10

term indicating a structure is closer to the midline

Question 11

lateral

Answer 11

term indicating a structure is farther away from the midline

Question 12

proximal

Answer 12

a structure located closer to the trunk in reference to the limbs

Question 13

distal

Answer 13

a structure located a greater distance from the trunk in reference to the limbs