Body Planes, Directional Terms, and Regional Terms

Front

What is the Transverse plane?

Back

A horizontal plane that divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts.

Front

What is the Sagittal plane?

Back

A vertical plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Front

What is the Frontal (Coronal) plane?

Back

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Front

What does Proximal mean?

Back

A term used to describe a position closer to the point of attachment or to the trunk of the body.

Front

What does Distal mean?

Back

A term used to describe a position further away from the point of attachment or from the trunk of the body.

Front

What does Medial mean?

Back

A term used to describe a position closer to the midline of the body.

Front

What does Lateral mean?

Back

A term used to describe a position further away from the midline of the body.

Front

What is an example of a structure that is Proximal to the wrist?

Back

The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Front

What is an example of a structure that is Distal to the elbow?

Back

The wrist is distal to the elbow.

Front

What is an example of a structure that is Medial to the knee?

Back

The big toe is medial to the knee.