Anatomical Terminology
Anatomical Position
Arms down by side Palms up Head and eyes
forward Legs parallel, feet
together
Coronal/Sagittal/Transverse Planes
Coronal Plane (Frontal Plane)
Sagittal Plane (Lateral Plane)
Transverse Plane (Axial Plane)
Coronal Plane
aka Frontal Plane Vertical plane running
from side to side Divides the body or any
of its parts into anterior and posterior portions
Sagittal Plane
aka Lateral Plane vertical plane running
from front to back Divides the body or any
of its parts into right and left sides
Transverse Plane
aka Axial Plane Horizontal plane Divides the body or any
of its parts into upper and lower parts
Anterior/Posterior
Anterior—to be situated near or toward the front of the body
Posterior--to be situated toward the back of the body
Superior/InferiorCranial/Caudal
Superior—means to be situated toward the upper part or head of the body, positioned above another organ or structure
Inferior—to be situated toward the lower part of the body or positioned below another organ or structure
Cranial—refers to the head end Caudal—refers to the tail end
Superior/InferiorCranial/Caudal
Medial/Lateral
Medial—to be closer to the midline of the body or a structure, being internal as opposed to external
Lateral—to be farther away, in the direction of either side, from the midline of the body or a structure
Proximal/Distal
Proximal: Toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin of a part
Distal: Away from or farthest from the trunk or the point of origin of a part
Unilateral/Bilateral
Unilateral—on one side Bilateral—on both sides
Acute/Chronic
Acute—symptoms appear and change/worsen rapidly (heart attack)
Chronic—develops and worsens over an extended period of time (atherosclerosis)
Ipsilateral/Contralateral
Ipsilateral—on the same side as another structure i.e. the left arm is ipsilateral to the left leg.
Contralateral—on the opposite from another structure i.e. the left arm is contralateral to the right arm,
or the right leg.
Superficial/Intermediate/Deep
Superficial—near the outer surface of the body i.e. skin is superficial to the muscle layer
Intermediate—between two other structures i.e. the naval is intermediate to (or intermediate
between) the left arm and the contralateral (right) leg.
Deep—further away from the surface of the body i.e. the muscular layer is deep to the skin, but superficial to
the intestines.
Superficial/Intermediate/Deep
Avascular
Without blood circulation
Ectopic
Occurring in an abnormal position or place
Flexion/Extension
Abduction/Adduction
Abduction—moving a body part away from midline
Adduction—moving a body part toward the midline
Abduction/Adduction
Internal/External Rotation
Internal rotation—rotation towards the center of the body aka medial rotation
External rotation—rotation away the center of the body aka lateral rotation
Internal/External Rotation
Hip Internal Rotation
Hand: Dorsal/Plamar
Foot: Dorsal/Plantar
Supination/Pronation
Plantar Flexion/Dorsiflexion
Elevation/Depression
Inversion/Eversion
Body Cavities Thoracic Cavity Abdominal and Pelvic
Cavity Dorsal Cavity
Thoracic Cavity
Upper ventral, thoracic or chest cavity
Contains: Heart Lungs Trachea Esophagus Large blood vessels Nerves
Bound laterally by ribs and the diaphragm caudally
Dorsal Cavity
Smaller of two main cavities
Upper portion: Cranial cavity Brain
Lower portion: Vertebral canal house
spinal cord
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Lower part of ventral cavity
Abdominal: Gastrointestinal tract Kidneys Adrenal glands
Pelvic: Urogenital system Rectum
Review
Anatomic planes/position Distal Proximal Medial Lateral Superior Inferior Cranial Caudal Anterior Posterior
Acute Chronic Pronation Supination Inversion Eversion Varus Valgus Avascular Ectopic