TERMINOLOGY

TERMINOLOGY ANATOMICAL POSITION –Standing position, feet together, arms at side with palms forward MIDLINE –Imaginary line that runs through the middle of the body lengthwise

PLANES OF BODY SAGITTAL –Divides body into equal left and right halves

PLANES OF BODY FRONTAL/CORONAL –Divides body into equally, front and back

PLANES OF BODY TRANSVERSE –Horizontal plane, separates into top and bottom

ANATOMICAL DIRECTIONS ANTERIOR –Toward the front part of body or body part POSTERIOR –Toward the back part of body or body part

ANATOMICAL DIRECTIONS MEDIAL –Closer to the midline LATERAL –Farther from the midline

ANATOMICAL DIRECTIONS SUPERIOR –Closer to the head –Used in reference to the head and trunk INFERIOR –Closer to the feet –Used in reference to the head and trunk

ANATOMICAL DIRECTIONS PROXIMAL –Closer to the trunk/midline –Used in reference to the extremities DISTAL –Farther from the trunk/midline –Used in reference to the extremities

ANATOMICAL DIRECTIONS SUPERFICIAL –Toward the body surface DEEP –Away from the body surface

ANATOMICAL DIRECTIONS DORSAL –Upper surface VENTRAL –Bottom surface PALMAR –Palm of the hand PLANTAR –Bottom surface of the foot