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Directional Terms & Body Planes

Terms in this set (17)

Superior
structures located above another structure, or toward the head
Anterior (Ventral)
structures located on the front of the body
Posterior (Dorsal)
structures located on the back of the body
Medial
structures located on, or near the midline of the body
Lateral
structures located away from the midline of the body
Intermediate
structures located between medial and lateral
Proximal
structures on a limb that are located near where the limb attaches to the body
Distal
structures on a limb that are located away from where the limb attaches to the body
Superficial
structures located near the surface of the body
Deep
surfaces located away from the surface of the body
Inferior
structures located below other structures, or toward the feet
Planes
imaginary flat surfaces used to divide the body into definite areas
Sagittal plane
divides body along a sagittal plane, dividing the body into right and left portions, called a sagittal section
Midsagittal plane
divides the body along the medial line, separating the body into equal right and left portions, called a midsagittal section.
Frontal/Coronal plane
divides along a vertical plane, separating the body into anterior and posterior parts, called a frontal or coronal section.
Transverse/Horizontal plane
divides the body along a horizontal plane into superior and inferior parts, called a transverse or horizontal section.
Oblique plane
passes through the specimen along an angled plane, called an oblique section
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