Body Planes and Positions

Sagittal Planes divide the body

• into right v left

• into front v back

• into unsymmetrical parts

• into top v bottom

Transverse planes divide

• into right v left

• into top v bottom

• into unsymmetrical parts

• into front v back

• Medial

• Lateral

• Posterior(dorsal)

• Superior

• Lateral

• Superior

• Inferior

• Anterior(ventral)

Coronal planes

• Planes that are oriented vertically and divide the body into anterior and posterior parts.

• Planes that are oriented vertically but are at right angles and divide the body into right and left parts.

• Planes that divide the body into superior and inferior parts.

Sagittal planes

• Planes that are oriented vertically and divide the body into anterior and posterior parts.

• Planes that are oriented vertically but are at right angles and divide the body into right and left parts.

• Planes that divide the body into superior and inferior parts.

Transverse, horizontal, and axial planes.

• Planes that are oriented vertically and divide the body into anterior and posterior parts.

• Planes that are oriented vertically but are at right angles and divide the body into right and left parts.

• Planes that divide the body into superior and inferior parts.

Anterior(ventral) and posterior(dorsal)

• Describe the positions of structures relative to the front and back of the body. (nose|vertebral column)

• Describe the positions of structures relative to the median sagittal plane and the sides of the body. (thumb<->pinky|)

• Describe the positions of structures in reference to the vertical axis of the body. (head/shoulders)

Medial and lateral

• Describe the positions of structures relative to the front and back of the body. (nose|vertebral column)

• Describe the positions of structures relative to the median sagittal plane and the sides of the body. (thumb<->pinky|)

• Describe the positions of structures in reference to the vertical axis of the body. (head/shoulders)

Superior and inferior

• Describe the positions of structures relative to the front and back of the body. (nose|vertebral column)

• Describe the positions of structures relative to the median sagittal plane and the sides of the body. (thumb<->pinky|)

• Describe the positions of structures in reference to the vertical axis of the body. (head/shoulders)