Overview
This lecture covers the anatomical position, anatomical planes, and key directional terms used to describe locations and orientations in the human body.
Anatomical Position
- The anatomical position is the standard body pose used in medical descriptions.
- The body stands upright, faces forward, arms at sides, and palms open facing forward.
- The figure’s right is the observer’s left, and vice versa.
- This position is used in charts for medical exams and can be adapted for patients lying supine.
Anatomical Planes
- Anatomical planes are imaginary lines used to section the body for study and description.
- The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right parts.
- The mid-sagittal plane cuts the body into equal left and right halves.
- The parasagittal plane divides the body into unequal left and right portions.
- The coronal (frontal) plane divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.
- The transverse plane cuts the body horizontally into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts.
- Oblique planes cut the body at slanted, diagonal angles.
Directional Terms
- Medial means closer to the midline; lateral means farther from the midline.
- Ipsilateral is on the same side; contralateral is on the opposite side.
- Anterior (ventral) refers to the front; posterior (dorsal) refers to the back.
- Superior (cranial) is toward the head; inferior (caudal) is toward the feet.
- Proximal means nearer to the point of origin (usually the torso); distal means farther from the origin.
- Superficial means closer to the surface; deep means farther inside from the surface.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Anatomical Position — Standard body pose for anatomical reference.
- Sagittal Plane — Vertical plane dividing body into left and right.
- Coronal (Frontal) Plane — Vertical plane dividing body into front and back.
- Transverse Plane — Horizontal plane dividing body into upper and lower parts.
- Oblique Plane — Diagonal plane.
- Medial — Toward the midline.
- Lateral — Away from the midline.
- Ipsilateral — On the same side.
- Contralateral — On the opposite side.
- Anterior (Ventral) — Toward the front.
- Posterior (Dorsal) — Toward the back.
- Superior (Cranial) — Toward the head.
- Inferior (Caudal) — Toward the feet.
- Proximal — Near the torso or origin.
- Distal — Farther from the torso or origin.
- Superficial — Close to surface.
- Deep — Further inside.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review diagrams of the anatomical position and planes.
- Memorize the directional terms and their meanings.