body planes and directional terms

sagittal planes

pass vertically through the body or organs and divide them into right and left sections

midsagittal plane

divides the body into equal right and left sides

parasagittal plane

Divides body into unequal right and left sides

frontal or coronal plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior sections

transverse plane

horizontal division of the body into upper and lower portions (cross section)

oblique planes

pass through the body at an angle

longitudinal section

a plane along the long axis of an organ

cross-section

sections that are produced by a plane running perpendicular to the long axis

superior

above

inferior

below

anterior (ventral)

closer to front of the body

posterior (dorsal)

closer to the back of the body

medial

Toward the midline of the body

lateral

farther from the midline of the body

Intermediate

between two structures

ipsilateral

on the same side of the body

contralateral

on the opposite side of the body

proximal

Nearer to the point of attachment of limb to trunk

distal

farther from the point of attachment of limb to trunk

superficial

closer to the surface of body

deep

farther from the surface of body