Anatomical Planes and Directions of the Body

ANATOMICAL PLANES

Coronal Plane (Frontal)

Sagittal (Lateral)

Axial Plane (Transverse)

ANATOMICAL TERMS	DIRECTION
Medial	Toward the midline of the body
Lateral	Away from the midline of the body
Proximal	Toward a reference point (extremity)
Distal	Away from a reference point (extremity)
Inferior	Lower or below
Superior	Upper or above
Cephalad or Cranial	Head
Caudal	Tail, tail end
Anterior	Toward the front
Posterior	Toward the back
Dorsal	Posterior
Ventral	Anterior