Download anatomical reference systems

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This is our standard frame of
reference when describing the
body. This standard position can
be described as:

Standing up straight so the
body is erect and facing
forward

Holding the arms at the sides
with the hands turned with
the palms facing forward.
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…are used to describe the locations of the
stuctural units of the body. There are
several ways to describe the location of body
parts:



Body Planes
Body Directions
Body Cavities
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Imaginary lines used to divide the body into
sections for descriptive purposes. The planes
are in reference to anatomic position
Vertical planes (up and down)



Midsagittal (also known as midline) divides the
body into equal left and right halves
Sagittal plane is a vertical line that divides the
body into unequal left and right portions
Frontal plane (also known as coronal plane)
divides the body into front (anterior) and back
(posterior) portions.
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 Horizontal

Plane (side to side plane)
Transverse plane divides the body into upper
(superior) and lower (inferior) portions. It can
be at waist-level or any other level across the
body.
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Directional Term
Opposite Directional Term
Ventral: front or belly side
Dorsal: back of the body or
organ
Anterior: situated in front
Posterior: situated in the back
Superior: upper most, above,
toward the head
Inferior: lowermost, below or
toward the feet
Cephalic: toward to the head
Caudal: toward the lower part
of the body or tail
Proximal: situated nearest the
midline or beginning of a body
structure (usually compares
structures on upper or lower
limbs)
Distal: Situated farthest from
the midline or beginning of a
body structure (usually
compares structures on upper or
lower limbs)
Medial: The direction toward
or nearer the midline.
Lateral: Direction toward or
nearer the side and away from
the midline
Bilateral: relating to, or having,
both sides
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A body cavity is a space within the body that
contains and protects internal organs.
Can you name one organ found in each cavity?
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