Download Directional Terms - Northside Middle School

Human Anatomy
 Midline: An
imaginary line that divides
the body into symmetrical
left & right halves
 Anatomical
Position: the human
body standing erect,
looking forward, arms at
side with palms turned
forward. Used as the
position of reference in
designating the site or
direction of structures of
the body.
Dividing the body into halves
Sagittal Plane
A vertical plane
that divides the
body into right &
left halves.
The midsagittal
plane divides the
body into equal,
symmetrical
halves.
Transverse Plane
A horizontal
plane that
divides the
body into
superior &
inferior halves
Coronal Plane
A vertical plane
that divides the
body into
anterior &
posterior
halves. The
coronal plane is
also know as
the frontal
plane.
Used to describe the locations of structures in relation to other structures
or locations in the body.


Anterior: In front of, nearer to the front of the body
Posterior: Behind, toward the rear of the body
DISTAL

Away from the point of
attachment, farther from the
origin
PROXIMAL

Near the point of attachment,
closer to the origin

Superior:
Above, over, situated more
towards the head & away from
the feet

Inferior:
Below, under, situated below &
closer to the feet

Lateral:
Toward the side, away from the
midline

Medial:
Toward the midline, away from
the side, middle


Superficial: Toward or on the surface of a structure; outward
Deep: Away from the surface, further into the body; inward

Relating to or involving
the palm of the hand

Relating to or involving
the sole of the foot

In humans:
Near the upper surface
or toward the back

Of or relating
to the belly,
abdominal.

Located on,
or toward the
front part of
the human
body

Lying on the stomach,
face down

Lying on the back, face
up

Ipsilateral: on the same side

of the body as another structure

Contralateral: on the
opposite side of the body from
another structure
Bilateral: pertaining to,
involving, or affecting two or
both sides

Unilateral: relating to, or
affecting one side
How a joint moves

Flexion:
Bending
the joint resulting
in a decrease of
angle

Extension:
movement of a
limb to increase
the angle of
the joint
ABDuction
&
ADDuction
ABDuction:
A motion that pulls a
structure or part
away from the
midline of the body
ADDuction:
A motion that pulls a
structure or
part toward the
midline of the body

Internal
Rotation:
flexed inwards
towards the
midline

External
Rotation:
flexed outwards
away from the
midline
Pronation
and
Supination
Pronation:
forearm = palm facing
down
foot = a combination
of abduction,
eversion, &
dorsiflexion.
Supination:
forearm =palm facing
up
foot = a combination
of adduction,
inversion, &
plantarflexion

Tubercle

Foramen

Fossa

Articular Surface