Term | Definition |
Anterior (Ventral) | Toward the front of the body. The nose is anterior to the ears. |
Posterior (Dorsal) | Located toward the back of the body. The ears are posterior to the nose. |
Superior | Above another body part or towards the head. The knee is superior to the feet. |
Inferior | Below another body part. The knees are inferior to the belly button. |
Medial | Toward the midline of the body. The eyes are medial to the ears. |
Lateral | Away from the midline of the body. |
Proximal | A body part closer to the point of attachment or closer to the trunk of the body. The elbow is proximal to the hand. |
Distal | Farther from a point of attachment or trunk of the body. The foot is distal to the knees. |
Superficial | Near of surface. The skin is superficial to bones. |
Deep | Located away from the surface. The bones are deep to the muscles. |
Central | Located near the center of the body. |
Peripheral | Located away from the center of the body. |
Ipsilateral. | Located on the same side of the body as another part. The right hand and right foot are ipsilateral. |
Contralateral | Located on the other side of the body from another part. The right hand and left foot are contralateral. |
Axial Body Portion | Contains: head, neck, spinal column, and ribs. |
Appendicular Body Portion | Contains Limbs: Arms, legs, pelvis/pelvic girdle, and pectoral girdle. |
Sagittal plane | Cuts the body into left and right portions down the length of the body. Median or midsagittal cuts the person right down the middle. |
Frontal plane | Cuts the body into anterior and posterior portions (Front and back). This plane is perpendicular to the sagittal plane. |
Transverse plane | Cuts the body into "top" and "bottom" portions. Imagine a magician sawing someone in half, that is a transverse cute. |