1 Body Planes & Anatomical Directions

Front 1

Sagittal

Back 1

Plane dividing the body into unequal left and right parts

Terms medial & lateral apply to this plane

Front 2

Midsagittal

Back 2

The midline plane dividing the body into left/right halves

Front 3

Frontal Plane

Back 3

Plane dividing the body into equal/unequal front and back

directional terms anterior,ventral, posterior & dorsal apply to this plane

Front 4

Transverse

Back 4

Plane dividing the body into upper & lower parts

Directional terms cranial, superior, inferior & caudal apply to this plane

Front 5

Cranial

Back 5

structure closer to the head

Front 6

Superior

Back 6

Structure closer to the head

Front 7

Inferior

Back 7

Structure closer to the feet

Front 8

Anterior

Back 8

Structure more in front of another structure

Front 9

Posterior

Back 9

structure more in back than another structure

Front 10

Dorsal

Back 10

structure more in back than another structure

Front 11

Medial

Back 11

refers to a structure being closer to the midsaggital plane than another structure

Front 12

Lateral

Back 12

refers to a structure being farther away from the midsaggital plane than another structure

Front 13

Proximal

Back 13

For reference to limbs only

Structure closer to the trunk of the body

Front 14

Abdominal

Back 14

anterior torso below diaphragm

Front 15

Antebrachial

Back 15

forearm

Front 16

Axillary

Back 16

armpit

Front 17

Brachial

Back 17

arm

Front 18

Buccal

Back 18

cheek

Front 19

Carpal

Back 19

wrist

Front 20

Cephalic

Back 20

head

Front 21

Cervical

Back 21

neck

Front 22

Cranial

Back 22

skull

Front 23

Crural

Back 23

leg

Front 24

Cubital

Back 24

elbow

Front 25

Cutaneous

Back 25

skin

Front 26

Digital

Back 26

fingers or toes

Front 27

Dorsal

Back 27

back

Front 28

Facial

Back 28

face

Front 29

Frontal

Back 29

forehead

Front 30

Nasal

Back 30

nose

Front 31

Oral

Back 31

Mouth

Front 32

Orbital

Back 32

Eyes

Front 33

Opthalmic

Back 33

eyes

Front 34

Femoral

Back 34

Thigh

Front 35

Gluteal

Back 35

buttock

Front 36

Inguinal

Back 36

Groin

Front 37

Lumbar

Back 37

Lower back between ribs & pelvis

Front 38

Mammary

Back 38

breast

Front 39

Occipital

Back 39

back of lower skull

Front 40

Olecranal

Back 40

back of elbow

Front 41

Palmar

Back 41

palm of hand

Front 42

Pedal

Back 42

foot

Front 43

Pelvic

Back 43

Lower portion of torso

Front 44

Perineal

Back 44

Area between anus and genitals

Front 45

Plantar

Back 45

sole of foot

Front 46

Popliteal

Back 46

area behind knee

Front 47

Supraclavicular

Back 47

area above clavicle

Front 48

Tarsal

Back 48

ankle

Front 49

Temporal

Back 49

side of skull

Front 50

Thoracic

Back 50

Chest

Front 51

Umbilical

Back 51

area around namel or umbilicus

Front 52

Volar

Back 52

palm or sole

Front 53

Zygomatic

Back 53

upper cheek