Anatomical planes and directions

For clarification of the descriptions, see figures 1 and 2.

Anatomical planes:
Sagittal: a plane that divides the body in a left and right side. This plane runs through the
middle of the body in a longitudinal direction.
Coronal: a plane that divides the body in a front and back side. This plane runs through
the middle of the body in a longitudinal direction at a 90-degree angle to the sagittal plane.
Transverse: a horizontal plane that divides the body in an upper and lower portion. The
plane can occur at any height of the body and is perpendicular to the sagittal and coronal
plane.

Directions of the bony elements of the skeleton:

Proximal: the part of an element or complete element that is located most closely to the
core of the body.
Distal: the part of an element or complete element that is located most far away to the core
of the body.
Medial: an indication for a part of an element towards the midline of the body.
Lateral: an indication for a part of an element away from the midline of the body.
Posterior: an indication for a part of an element or a complete element located towards the
back.
Anterior: an indication for a part of an element or a complete element located towards the
front.
Superior: an indication for the most upper element or part of an element in a longitudinal
plane.
Inferior: an indication for the most lower element or part of an element in a longitudinal
plane.
Cranial: an indication for elements or parts of elements located towards the cranium (or
top of the skeleton).
Caudal: an indication for elements or parts of elements located towards the feet (or bottom
of the skeleton).
Palmar: an indication for the surface on the palms of your hands.
Plantar: an indication for the surface on the soles of your feet.
Dorsal: in conjunction with the hands or feet, this is an indication for the surface of the
back of your hands or feet. It can also be applied to the descriptions of elements in your
thorax. In this case it is used to indicate the element or part of the element closest to the
back.
Ventral: This is used to describe elements in your thorax. It is an indication for elements,
or part of elements closest to the stomach.
Figure 1: Anatomical directions and planes (White and Folkens 2005, 70)
Directions of the dental elements of the skeleton:
Median line: a line in the middle of the dental arcade, drawn between the left and right
first incisors. It runs from the front of the dentition (the incisors) across the palate, to the
back.
Mesial: an indication for parts of the tooth located more closely towards the median line.
Distal: an indication for parts of the tooth located away from the median line.
Labial: an indication for surfaces of the tooth located towards the lips. This is only relevant
for the anterior teeth.
Buccal: an indication for the surfaces of the tooth located towards the cheek. This is only
relevant for the posterior teeth.
Lingual: an indication for the surfaces of the tooth located towards the tongue.
Anterior teeth: the incisors and canines.
Posterior teeth: the premolars and molars.

Figure 2: http://pocketdentistry.com/wp-content/uploads/285/B978032302564550009X_fsec04-02-
9780323025645.jpg