Anatomical Positions, Planes of the Body, and Terms

Midsagittal Plane

Midline center of the body. Splits Body into left and right. Vertical plane.

Parasagittal Plane

Any vertical plane that is parallel to the midsagittal plane.

Coronal Plane

Perpendicular to the Midsagittal plane. Splitting front and back of body

Transverse Plane

Cuts body in half. divides the body from the hip. Lower half and Upper half

Anterior

Structures located closer to the front of the body

Posterior

Structures located closer to the back of the body

Superior

Structures located closer to the head

Inferior

Structures located closer to the feet

Medial

Indicates closer to the midline

Lateral

Farther from the midline

Proximal

Located closer to the trunk

Distal

Greater distance from the trunk