Anatomy and Health Science Lessons

Body Planes and Directional Terms

Sagittal plane - Divides body into right and left halves

Frontal plane - Divides body into front and back halves

Transverse plane - Divides body into upper and lower halves

Terms

Posterior (Dorsal) - in frontal plane, towards the backside of

Anterior (Ventral) - in frontal plane, towards the frontside of

Superior (Caudal) - in transverse plane, above

Inferior - in transverse plane, below

Medial - in saggital plane, towards the midline

Lateral - in saggital plane, away from the midline

Superficial - towards the surface

Deep - away from the surface

Proximal Ð towards the trunk

Distal - away from the trunk

Palmar - palm of hand

Plantar - bottom of foot

**Supine (Anatomical) Position - standing erect, facing forward, hands by side, palms facing forward