Anatomical position is described as the body facing you, feet placed together & flat on the floor. The head held erect, arms straight by the side with palms facing forward.

Standing , arms hanging, palms forward .

Superior : Means the part is above another or closer to head.

Inferior : Means the part is below another or towards the feet.

Anterior : means towards the front. E.g.: Eyes are anterior to the Brain.

Posterior :Means towards the back. E.g.: Pharynx is posterior to the oral cavity.

Medial : relates to the imaginary midline dividing the body into equal right & left halves. E.g: the nose is medial to the eyes.

Lateral : means towards the side with respect to the imaginary midline. E.g.: The ears are lateral to the eyes.

Ipsilateral: On the same side. E.g.: The spleen & descending colon are Ipsilateral.

Contralateral: Refers to the opposite side. E.g.: The spleen & gall bladder are contralateral.

Proximal : It is used to describe a part that is closer to the trunk of the body or closer to another specified point of reference than another part . E.g.: The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Distal : It means that a particular body part is farther from the trunk or farther from another point of reference than another part. E.g.: Fingers are distal to the wrist.

Superficial : means situated near the surface. Peripheral also outward or near the surface.

Deep: It is used to describe parts that are more internal.

The terms palmar & dorsal surfaces are used in place of anterior & posterior Surfaces.

In describing the foot, the terms planar & dorsal are used instead of upper & lower surfaces.

Axial Part : It includes the head, neck & trunk

Appendicular part : It includes the limbs which are attached to the body’s axis

A Plane is a surface in which if any two points are taken , a straight line that is drawn to join these two points lies wholly within that plane or surface.

If the plane divides the body into equal right & left parts by running through the middle of the breast bone (sternum), it is called midsagittal or cardinal sagittal plane.

A vertical plane running from front to back( antero - posterior) dividing the body into right and left parts.

If the plane divides the body into equal right & left parts by running through the middle of the breast bone(sternum) it is sometimes called the midsagittal or cardinal sagittal plane.

SAGITTAL PLANE

A Plane that divides the body or limbs into upper & lower parts, in relation to gravity & anatomical position.

A plane that divides the body into an anterior & a posterior (ventral & dorsal)portion.