Anatomical Planes Of Reference, Descriptive Terms And Special Movements

Front 1

Sagittal plane

Back 1

Any imaginary vertical plane which passes from ventral (front) to dorsal (rear) dividing the body into right and left halves.

Front 2

Mid-sagittal plane

Back 2

The sagittal plane runs through the midline cutting the body into equal halves passing through midline structures such as the navel and spine.

Front 3

Frontal/Coronal Plane

Back 3

Any imaginary vertical plane that divides the body into ventral and dorsal (belly and back) sections.

Front 4

Transverse/horizontal,axial, or transaxial Plane

Back 4

Any imaginary plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts. It is perpendicular to the coronal and sagittal planes.

Front 5

Dorsal/posterior

Back 5

Means towards the back. The pharynx is posterior to the oral cavity.

Front 6

Ventral/anterior

Back 6

Means toward the front. The eyes are anterior to the brain.

Front 7

Lateral

Back 7

Means towards the side, away from midline. The ears are lateral to the eyes.

Front 8

Medial

Back 8

An imaginary midline dividing the body into equal right and left halves. A part is medial if it is closer to midline than another part. The nose is medial to the eyes.

Front 9

Distal

Back 9

Means a body part is farther from a point of attachment to the trunk than another body part. The fingers are distal to the wrist.

Front 10

Proximal

Back 10

Means a body part is closer to a point of attachment to the trunk than another body part. The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Front 11

Cephalic/cranial

Back 11

An adjective pertaining to the head/skull.

Front 12

Deep

Back 12

Describes a part of the body that's more internal than other body parts. The dermis is the deep layer of the skin.

Front 13

Superficial

Back 13

Means near the surface. The epidermis is the superficial layer of the skin.

Front 14

Superior

Back 14

Means a part is above another part. The thoracic cavity is superior to the abdominopelvic cavity.

Front 15

Inferior

Back 15

Means a part is bellow another part. The neck is inferior to the head.

Front 16

Ipsilateral

Back 16

Refers to structures on the same side. The right lung and the right kidney are ipsilateral.

Front 17

Contralateral

Back 17

Refers to structures on the opposite side. A patient with a fractured right leg would have to bear weight on the contralateral left lower limb.

Front 18

Pronate

Back 18

Rotation of the forearm so the palm is downward or facing posteriorly in anatomical position. Prone refer to the body lying face down.

Front 19

Supinate

Back 19

Rotation of the forearm so the palm is upward or facing anteriorly in anatomical position. Supine refers to the body lying face up.

Front 20

Circumduct

Back 20

Moving a part so that its end follows a circular path such as moving the finger in a circular motion without moving the hand.

Front 21

Protract

Back 21

Moving a part forward such as thrusting the head forward.

Front 22

Retract

Back 22

Moving a part backward such as pulling the head backward.

Front 23

Plantar flexion

Back 23

Movement at the ankle that brings the foot farther from the shin such as walking or standing on one's toes.

Front 24

Dorsiflexion

Back 24

Movement at the ankle that brings the foot closer to the shin such as rocking back on one's heels.

Front 25

Abduction

Back 25

Moving a part away from the midline such as lifting the upper limb horizontally to form a right angle with the side of the body or from the axial line of the limb such as spreading the fingers or toes.

Front 26

Adduction

Back 26

Moving a part toward the midline such as returning the upper limb from the horizontal position to the side of the body or toward the axial line of the limb such as moving the finger or toes closer together.