Body Planes and Directional Terms

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

Divides the human body into dorsal (back) and ventral (front)

Sagittal Plane

Divides the human body into left and right sides

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

Sagittal plane that goes directly down the midline

Transverse Plane

Divides the human body into a head (superior) and feet (inferior) portion

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head

Inferior (Caudal)

Toward the bottom (tail)

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front (belly side)

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back (spine side)

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Toward the side of the body

Internal (Deep)

Away from the surface of the body

External (Superficial)

Toward the surface of the body

Proximal

Toward the main mass of the body (used for appendages)

Distal

Away from the main mass of the body (used for appendages)

Visceral

Related to internal organs

Parietal

Related to the body walls