Superior
Always appear above other structures (above)
Inferior
Always below other structures (below)
Anterior
Structures are those that are most forward- the face, chest, and abdomen (front)
Posterior
Structures are those toward the backside of the body (back)
Medial
Situated near the median plane of the body or the midline of an organ ( toward the midline)
Lateral
Situated on one side or other of the body or of an organ, especially in the region furthest from the median plane. ( away from the midline or median plane)
Caudal
At or near the tail or the posterior part of the body.
Dorsal
Referring to the animal's back or the backside of any other structures
Ventral
Refers to the belly side of animals
Superficial
situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it
Deep
Away from the body surface
Section
A cut that divides parts of the body
Plane
Imaginary surface or line
Sagittal plane
That runs longitudinally and divides the body into right and left parts
Midsagittal plane
If it divides the body into equal parts, right down the median plane of the body
Parasagittal planes
Other sagittal plane
Frontal plane (coronal plane)
A longitudinal plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
Transverse plane
Runs horizontally dividing the body into superior and inferior parts
Cross sections
When organs are sectioned along the transverse
Proximal
Nearer the trunk or attached end
Distal
Farther from the trunk or point of attachment
Superior
Always appear above other structures (above)
Inferior
Always below other structures (below)
Anterior
Structures are those that are most forward- the face, chest, and abdomen (front)
Posterior
Structures are those toward the backside of the body (back)
Medial
Situated near the median plane of the body or the midline of an organ ( toward the midline)
Lateral
Situated on one side or other of the body or of an organ, especially in the region furthest from the median plane. ( away from the midline or median plane)
Caudal
At or near the tail or the posterior part of the body.
Dorsal
Referring to the animal's back or the backside of any other structures
Ventral
Refers to the belly side of animals
Superficial
situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it
Deep
Away from the body surface
Section
A cut that divides parts of the body
Plane
Imaginary surface or line
Sagittal plane
That runs longitudinally and divides the body into right and left parts
Midsagittal plane
If it divides the body into equal parts, right down the median plane of the body
Parasagittal planes
Other sagittal plane
Frontal plane (coronal plane)
A longitudinal plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
Transverse plane
Runs horizontally dividing the body into superior and inferior parts
Cross sections
When organs are sectioned along the transverse
Proximal
Nearer the trunk or attached end
Distal
Farther from the trunk or point of attachment