Anatomy Terms
Orientation and Direction

Superior – towards head

Inferior (caudal) – towards the lower part of a body part

Anterior (ventral) – front

Posterior (dorsal) – back

Medial – toward the midline of the body

Lateral – Away from the midline

Intermediate – between a more medial and lateral position
(center)

Proximal – Closer to the origin of the body
part

Distal – closer to the end of the body part

Superficial – Toward the body surface

Deep – Away from the body surface
Body Planes, Sections, and
Cavitites
Body planes

Body is 3D

Can be split into three
planes

Sagittal
Coronal
Transverse


Sagittal Plane

Plane splitting the body
into two parts (left and
right)

Sagittal section is a cut
made longitudinally along
the body

If it splits into two equal
parts = midsagittal
Coronal Plane

Plane which splits
body into anterior and
posterior section
Transverse Plane

Separates body along
horizontal plane

Also called a cross
section

Will divide an
organism into superior
and inferior parts
Body Cavities
Cavities

Opening within body
which protects internal
organs, and allows
transfer of
materials/information

2 Divisions
 Dorsal
 Ventral
Dorsal Cavities

Made up of two smaller
cavities

1) Cranial Cavity –
holds and protects brain
2) Spinal Cavity –
column which runs
through vertebra and
protects spinal chord

Ventral Cavities

Divided into two smaller
cavities

1) Thoracic – chest area
(holds heart, lungs, and
diaphragm)

2) Abdominopelvic – lower
torso (holds digestive and
reproductive organs)
 Subdivided into
abdominal and pelvic
cavity.