ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY
Anatomicomedical Terminology
It is the standard international vocabulary used in anatomy and medicine.
It ensures clear and precise communication among health professionals.
Uses correct anatomical names instead of casual ones.
o Example: Axilla (not armpit), Clavicle (not collarbone).
Follows Terminologia Anatomica (TA) – the official list of approved anatomical terms.
Terms are given in Latin and English.
o Example: Musculus deltoideus = Deltoid.
Most anatomical terms come from Latin and Greek.
Example: Decidua means “falling off” → the uterine lining shed after pregnancy.
Anatomical terminology also includes terms of position and direction to describe where
structures are located in the body.
Anatomical Position
Person stands upright/erect.
Head, eyes, and toes face anteriorly
(forward).
Arms at the sides, palms facing
anteriorly.
Lower limbs close together, feet
parallel, toes facing anteriorly.
It is the standard reference for
describing all positions, movements,
and planes.
Anatomical Planes
1. Median (Midsagittal) Plane
Vertical plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.
Passes through the midline.
2. Sagittal Planes
Vertical planes parallel to the median plane.
Divide the body into right and left parts (not necessarily equal).
3. Frontal (Coronal) Plane
Vertical plane at right angles to the median plane.
Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.
4. Transverse (Horizontal/Axial) Plane
Plane at right angles to both the median and frontal planes.
Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.
In radiology: called transaxial or simply axial.
Sections of the Body
Sections = views of the body when it is cut along anatomical planes.
1. Longitudinal Section
Cut parallel to the long axis of the body or a body part.
Can occur in any body position.
2. Transverse (Cross) Section
Cut at right angles to the long axis of the body or a body part.
Example: The foot’s long axis is horizontal, so a transverse section of the foot
is in the frontal plane.
3. Oblique Section
Cut not along any standard anatomical plane.
Not parallel, not perpendicular — angled slice.
Terms of Relationship & Direction (Positions)
Describe where a structure is relative to another in the anatomical position.
They come in opposite pairs: if A is superior to B, B is inferior to A.
Key Terms
Surface / Depth
Superficial → near the body surface (e.g., skin)
Intermediate → between superficial and deep (e.g., biceps)
Deep → internal, closer to the core (e.g., humerus)
Front / Back
Anterior / Ventral → towards the front
Posterior / Dorsal → towards the back
Up / Down
Superior / Cranial / Cephalic → towards the head
Inferior / Caudal → towards the feet
Head-specific
Rostral → towards the front of the head (e.g., frontal lobe)
Middle / Side
Medial → closer to the midline
Median → exactly at the midline
Lateral → farther from the midline
Limbs (close/far)
Proximal → nearer to trunk
Distal → farther from trunk
Hand / Foot
Palmar → palm side of hand
Dorsal (hand) → back of hand
Plantar → sole of foot
Dorsal (foot) → top of foot
Combined Terms (Intermediate Positions)
Sometimes we need to describe a body part that is in between two directions. We do this by
combining terms:
Term Meaning
Superomedial Above and toward the midline
Superolateral Above and away from the midline
Inferomedial Below and toward the midline
Inferolateral Below and away from the midline
Anteromedial In front and toward the midline
Anterolateral In front and away from the midline
Posteromedial Behind and toward the midline
Posterolateral Behind and away from the midline
Terms of Laterality
These terms describe which side of the body a structure is on relative to another:
Unilateral → on one side of the body
o Example: the spleen is unilateral (only on the left side).
Bilateral → structures on both sides of the body
o Example: kidneys (one on each side).
Ipsilateral → on the same side as another structure
o Example: right thumb and right big toe are ipsilateral.
Contralateral → on the opposite side relative to another structure
o Example: right hand is contralateral to left hand.
✅ Quick trick:
Bilateral → “both sides exist”
Contralateral → “opposite side compared to something else”
Terms of Movement
1. Flexion
What it is: Bending a joint or decreasing the angle between two body parts.
Example: Bending the elbow so the hand moves toward the shoulder.
Hyperflexion
What it is: Flexing a joint beyond its normal range, which can also cause injury.
Example: Whiplash moving the head suddenly forward beyond normal limits.
2. Extension
What it is: Straightening a joint or increasing the angle between two body parts.
Example: Straightening the elbow after bending it.
Hyperextension
What it is: Extending a joint beyond its normal range, which can cause injury.
Example: Bending the head too far backward in whiplash or overextending the knee.
FLEXION AND EXTENSION MOVEMENT
• Moving a body
part towards the
midline of the body
• Moving a body part
away from the midline of
the body