1. Anatomical Position and Directions
Standard 1 Objective 8

2. The anatomical position is:
What is it?
The anatomical position is:
“the universally accepted starting point used to describe or analyze anatomical terms or movement.”
To be in correct anatomical position, the body must meet 3 criteria:
Upright, standing position
Face and feet pointing forward
Arms at the side, palms facing forward
But how do we use the anatomical position to describe direction and planes?

3. Anatomical Planes Frontal(Coronal)
-relate to positions in space and found at right angles to each other
-these planes can be positioned on specific parts of the body
Frontal(Coronal)
-vertical; splits the body into front and back parts

4. Frontal (Coronal) Plane

5. Anatomical Planes Sagittal Mid Sagittal
-vertical; splits the body into left and right parts
Mid Sagittal
-vertical; splits the body into equal left and right halves

6. Sagittal Plane

7. Anatomical Planes Transverse
-horizontal; splits the body into upper and lower parts

8. Transverse Plane

9. Which Plane?

10. Body Position Terminology
The following terms will become like a second language for you. These terms are used to describe position of the body and will be used extensively when we talk about muscles and bones
Medial- towards the midline(center) of the body
Lateral- away from the midline of the body
Superficial - on or close to the surface of the body
Deep - farther away from the surface of the body

11. Superior- towards the top of the body; above (cranial)
Inferior- towards the bottom of the body; below (caudal)
Anterior- towards the front of the body; in front of (ventral)
Posterior- towards the back of the body; behind (dorsal)
Proximal- situated closest to the point of attachment
Distal- situated farthest from the point of attachment

12. Body Position Examples
The nose is medial to the eyes.
The ears are lateral to the head.
The skin is superficial to the muscles.
The bones are deep to the muscles.
The lungs are superior to the diaphragm.
The mouth is inferior to the nose.
The nose is anterior to the ears.
The vertebral column is posterior to the breastbone (sternum).
The wrist is proximal to the fingers.
The elbow is distal to the shoulder.