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Directional Terms
Mr. G’s Directionals Terms and Body Planes
Term | Definition |
---|---|
anatomy | The science dealing with the form and structure of living organisms. |
physiology | All the functions of a living organism or any of its parts. |
anatomic position | Body standing erect, facing forward, feet pointed forward and slightly apart, arms hanging down by the sides with palms facing forward. |
midline | a line dividing the body down the middle starting with the head and extending downward toward the feet. |
midsagittal plane | A plane that divides the body into equal right and left sides |
superior | above or higher |
inferior | below or lower |
anterior | towards the front |
posterior | towards the back |
ventral | towards the belly side |
dorsal | towards the back, back side |
proximal | closer to the point or origin or attachment |
distal | far from a point of attachment |
medial | towards the middle or midline |
lateral | towards the side, away from the midline |
cephalic | towards the head |
caudal | towards the tail, sacrum |
superficial | towards the surface |
deep | inside, within |
palmer | palm of the hand |
planter | sole of the feet |
coronal plane, frontal plane | divides the body into front and back |
transverse plane, horizontal, plane | divides the body into superior and inferior sections |
ipsilateral | same side |
contralateral | opposite side |