Anatomical Planes and Important Terminology

 

Introduction

In this article, we will provide a basic overview of the anatomical planes. This article can help to you in study of anatomy, for better understanding.

Anatomical planes are imaginary planes/2D surfaces used to divide the body to facilitate descriptions of location and movement.

The anatomical position is used as a reference when describing locations of structures and movements. It is an upright position with arms by the side and palms facing forward. Feet are parallel with toes facing forward.

Now, we will mentioned the most important and useful terms of anatomy to understand anatomical planes.

Anatomical terms

1. Relation to Trunk

• Proximal: towards the main trunk of the body
• Distal: away from the main trunk of the body
• Superior: upper
• Inferior: lower
• Superficial: near the surface of the body
• Deep: away from the surface of the body
• Medial: towards the midline
• Lateral:  away from the midline
• Ventral: front, anterior
• Dorsal: back, posterior
• Ipsilateral: on the same side of the body as another structure
• Contralateral: on opposite side of the body from another structure
• Invagination: is projection inside
• Evagination: is projection outside

                                   

 

2. Relation to Upper Limb

• Ventral or Anterior: is the front aspect
• Dorsal or Posterior:  is the back aspect
• Medial Border: lies along the little fingers, medial border of the forearm and arm
• Lateral Border: follows the thumb, lateral border of the forearm and arm
• Proximal: is close to root of limb, while distal is away from the root
• Palmar: aspect is the front of the palm
• Dorsal: aspect of hand is on the back of palm. • Flexor aspect is front of upper limb
• Extensor: aspect is back of upper limb

3. Relation to Lower Limb

• Posterior: aspect is back of upper limb
• Medial border:  lies along the big toe or hallux, medial border of leg and thigh
• Lateral border:  lies along the little toe, lateral border of leg and thigh
• Flexor: aspect is back of lower limb
• Extensor: aspect is front of lower limb
• Proximal:  is close to the root of limb, while distal is away from it

Anatomical planes

There are three commonly used anatomical planes: sagittal, coronal and axial.

Sagittal

The sagittal plane is a longitudinal plane, dividing the body into right and left parts. These are not necessarily equal but if they are equal the plane is termed a midsagittal or median plane.

Coronal

The coronal plane is a longitudinal plane, dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

Axial

The axial (or transverse plane) is a horizontal plane dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections.

NOTE:- 

• Anatomical terms and planes help to describe locations of body structures and movements.
• Understanding the anatomical planes enables you to correctly orientate prosections and scans (e.g. CT).

Reference

B D Chaurasia's Handbook of General Anatomy (4th Edition)