Anatomical planes
Planes of Movement.
When the body is in the standard anatomical position, standing erect with the palms facing forward, it can be divided into three imaginary planes.
These planes help clarify and specify movements.
The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right halves. The descriptive terms medial and lateral correlate to the sagittal plane; the actions of flexion and extension occur along this plane.
The midline, or midsagittal plane, runs down the center of the body, dividing the sagittal plane in two symmetrical halves.
The frontal, or coronal, plane divides the body into front and back portions. The terms anterior and posterior relate to the frontal plane. The actions of adduction and abduction happen along this plane.
Dividing the body into upper and lower parts is the transverse plane. The terms superior and inferior refer to the transverse plane. Rotation happens within this plane.
Directions and Positions
Specific terms are used to help communicate location, direction, and position of body structures.
These terms replace more general references like “up there” or “north of here,” which are less precise and can be confusing.
Each direction is paired up with its complementary direction. Superior refers to a structure closer to the head. Inferior means closer to the feet. “The shoulders are superior to the knees.”
“The knees are inferior to the shoulders.”
The terms cranial, or closer to the head, and caudal, meaning closer to the buttocks, are used when referring to structures on the trunk. For example, “The umbilicus is caudal to the clavicles.” “The clavicles are cranial to the umbilicus.”