Anatomical Terms and Planes of Reference
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21 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Ventral | away from the backbone or toward the front of the body. |
| Dorsal | toward the backbone or away from the front of the body. |
| Anterior | toward the front or away from the back. The term is usually used with reference to the free extremities or the head but it is sometimes or the head, but it is sometimes used interchangeable with ventral. |
| Posterior | toward the back, or away from the front. This term is also used with reference to the free extremities or the head, but may be used interchangeably with dorsal. |
| Superficial | toward the surface as distinct from superior |
| Deep | away from the surface, as distinct from inferior |
| Superior | upper, as distinct from superficial |
| Inferior | lower, as distinct from deep. |
| Cranial | toward the head, The term rostral is sometimes used. |
| Caudal | toward the tail, away from the head. Its use is usually restricted to the trunk. |
| External | toward the outer surface. This term is most often used to describe body cavities or the body wall, but is sometimes used interchangeably with superficial |
| Internal | toward the inner surface. This term is also used to describe body cavities or the body wall, but is sometimes used interchangeably with deep. |
| Medial | toward the axis or midline |
| Lateral | away from from the axis or midline |
| Proximal | toward the body or toward the root of a free extremity |
| Distal | away from the body or the root of a free extremity |
| Central | pertaining or situated at the center |
| Peripheral | toward the outward surface or part |
| Sagittal Plane | Plane that divides the body into right and left side. |
| Frontal or Coronal Plane | Plane that divides the body into front and back |
| Transverse Plane | Plane that divides the body into top and bottom |
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