Directional Terminology & General Body Plan Terms

Body Planes

Median (Midsagittal) – A sagittal plane that lies exactly in the midline

Sagittal – Vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts

Frontal – Lie vertical; divide body into anterior and posterior parts

Transverse – runs horizontal from right to left; divides body in superior and inferior
parts

Anterior – Toward or at front of the body; in front of (Vental)

Posterior – Toward or back of the body; behind (Dorsal)

Superior (Cranial) – Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

Inferior (Caudal) – away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or
body; below

Venrtral – “Belly” of a vertebrate animal

Dorsal – Animal’s back

Medial – Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

Lateral – Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

Proximal – Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to
the body trunk

Distal – Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the
body trunk

Parietal – Membrane lining the cavity walls

Visceral – Ventral body cavity houses a group of internal organs

Superficial – Toward or at the body surface

Deep – Away from the body surface; more internal

Other Body Terms

Cephalic - Head
Frontal - Forehead
Occipital – Back of the head or base of skull
Buccal - Cheek
Mental - Chin
Oral - Mouth
Orbital - Eye

Cervical - Neck
Nape – Back of the neck

Scapular – Shoulder blade

Axillary - Armpit

Brachial - Arm
Antebrachial - Forearm
Carpel - Wrist
Phalangies – Relating to the bones of the fingers and toes

Thorasic - Chest
Umbilical - Navel

Coxal - Hip
Pubis – Genital region
Inguinal - Groin
Sacral – Between hips
Gluteal - Buttock

Femoral - Thigh
Crural - Leg
Sural - Calf
Pateller – Anterior knee
Popliteal – back of knee (Posterior)
Tarsal – Ankle (part of Pedal)
Pedal - Foot
Calcaneal - Heel
Plantar - Sole
Hallux – Great toe