The Language of Anatomy Anatomical Position Directional Terms

The Language of Anatomy Anatomical Position & Directional Terms

Medial • Toward the midline of the body The heart is medial to the arm

Lateral • Away from the midline of the body The arms are lateral to the chest

Proximal • Closer to the origin of the body part The elbow is proximal to the wrist

Distal • Farther from the origin of a body part The knee is distal to the thigh

Inferior • Lower or below The navel is inferior to the chin

Superior • Upper or above The head is superior to the abdomen

Cranial - head end • Example:

Caudal – tail end • Example

Anterior Toward the front of the body The breastbone is anterior to the spine

Posterior • Toward the back of the body The heart is posterior to the breastbone

Dorsal – back side • Example

Ventral – stomach side • Example:

(superior) (posterior) (anterior) (inferior)

Planes of the Body

Frontal or Coronal Plane • http: //www. madsci. org/~lynn/VH/coronal. ht ml

Frontal Plane Imaging

Sagittal or Lateral plane • http: //www. madsci. org/~lynn/VH/sagittal 2. html

Sagittal Plane Imaging

Transverse or Axial Plane • http: //www. madsci. org/~lynn/VH/transvers e. html

Transverse Plane Imaging

Our first dissection…. . Build an animal with the supplies you are given! Requirements: Your animal must have a head end, a tail end, and it must stand on 4 legs