| A | B |
|---|
| medial | toward the middle of the structure or entire body |
| lateral | towards the side of the structure or entire body |
| superior | towards the top |
| transverse plane | cuts the body into superior and inferior portions; runs horizontal |
| sagittal plane | cuts the structure into right and left portions; runs vertically |
| frontal plane | cuts the structure into anterior & posterior portions; runs side to side |
| oblique plane | cuts the structure at an angle |
| para- | prefix used when a plane cuts a structure into unequal parts |
| mid- | prefix used when a plane cuts a structure into equal parts |
| ventral | towards the front |
| dorsal | towards the back |
| mediastinum | region of the thoracic cavity between the lungs; runs dorsal to ventral |
| mediastinum | cavity that contains the trachea, esophagus, heart, thymus gland |
| pleural cavity | holds the lungs |
| parietal | lines the cavity in which an organ sets |
| viscera | collective term for all abdominal organs |
| peritoneum | lining of the abdominal cavity |
| visceral | covering of an organ |
| supine | lying face upward |
| prone | lying face downward |
| cephalic | closer to the head |
| caudal | away from the head |
| proximal | toward or closer than another structure to the point of attachment to the trunk |
| distal | further than another structure to the point of attachment to the trunk |
| superficial | relative to the surface of the body |
| lumbar | lower back region |
| digits | fingers or toes |
| antecubital | area in front of the elbow |
| antebrachial | forearm region |
| pectoral | chest area |
| plantar surface | bottom of foot |
| brachial | upper arm region |
| inguinal | groin region |
| gluteal | region of the buttock |
| sternal | breastbone region |
| umbilical | naval region |
| cervical | neck region |
| popliteal | the hollow behind the knee |
| sural | calf region |
| femoral | thigh region |
| axillary | armpit region |
| Otic | ear |
