Anatomical Position and Direction

• Superior


  This means toward the head
• Inferior


  This means toward the feet
• Medial


  This means TOWARD the midline
• Lateral


  This means AWAY FROM the midline
• Proximal


  This means CLOSER to the trunk of the body
• Distal


  This means FARTHER from the trunk of the body
• Sagittal plane or median


  It is a vertical plane that divides the body into right and left halves
• Frontal plane or Coronal


  It is a vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (FRONT) and posterior (BACK) halves
• Transverse plane or Cross-section


  It is a horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (UPPER) and inferior (LOWER) halves