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