Download anatomical terminology

ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY
Directions or Positions:
1. anterior (cranial) = toward the head, in front of
2. posterior (caudal) = toward the tail or rear, behind
3. dorsal (superior) = toward the backbone
4. ventral (inferior) = toward the stomach, opposite of dorsal
5. lateral = toward the side, away from the midline of the body
6. medial = the midline of the body extending from anterior to posterior,
toward the middle
7. proximal = closest to the point of attachment or point of reference (midline of body)
8. distal = farthest from the point of attachment or point of reference (midline of body)
Planes or Sections Through the Body:
1. transverse (cross section) = perpendicular to the long axis of the body
2. sagittal = a longitudinal section separating the body into right and left sides
3. frontal (coronal) = a longitudinal section dividing the body into dorsal and
ventral parts