Planes and Axes - Anatomy & Physiology

BACK TO MUSCULOSKELETAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

General Terms:

Anatomical Directions, Courtesy of UMN

Anatomical Planes, Courtesy of UMN

• Dorsal: Toward the spine
• Ventral: Toward the sternum
• Medial: Toward central line
• Lateral: Away from central line
• Cranial: Toward the head
• Caudal: Toward the tail
• Rostral: Toward the nose (beak)
• Proximal: Toward the body (trunk)
• Distal: Away from the body