Planes of the Body and Directional Terms

Superior (cranial)

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 the body (below)

Ventral

Toward or at the front of the body (in front of)

Dorsal

Toward or at the back of the body (behind)

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body (inner side of)

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body (outer side of)

Intermediate

Between a more medial and more lateral structure

Proximal

Closer to the orgin of a body part or 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

Superficial (external)

Toward or at the body surface

Deep (internal)

away from the body surface (more internal)

frontal plane (coronal plane)

Divides the body into front and back portions.

midsagittal plane (median plane)

divides the body into equal right and left sides

parasagittal plane

Divides body into unequal right and left sides

transverse plane

horizontal division of the body into upper and lower portions

oblique plane

divides body at an angle

longitudinal plane

divide along the length of an organ

cross-section

a diagram that shows what the inside of something looks like