In sciences dealing with the anatomy of animals, precise 'anatomical terms of location' are necessary for a variety of reasons. Non-scientists often wonder why
zoological and human
anatomists use complex
terminology to describe locations on a body, when common terms like "up", "down", "top" and "bottom" could be used instead.
Two major problems arise with common usage, however. First, they tend to be language-specific, requiring translation into equivalent, or almost-equivalent, terms in other languages. They are not universal terms that may be readily understood by zoologists speaking other languages. Differences in terminology remain a problem that, to some extent, still separates the fields of zoological anatomy (sometimes called
zootomy) and human (medical)
anatomy.
The second, and larger, problem is caused by the very nature of animals. Most animals are capable of moving relative to their environment (see Fig. 1). So while "up" might refer to the top of someone's head when they are standing upright, the same term ("up") would describe their belly while they are lying down.
Therefore, standardized anatomical (and zootomical) terms of location have been developed, usually based on
Latin words, to enable all biological and medical scientists to precisely delineate and communicate information about animal (including human) bodies and their component organs.
Standard anatomical position
Since
animal can change position with respect to their environment, and since any
appendages (arms, legs, tentacles, ''etc...'') can change position with respect to the main body, it is important that any descriptional terms refer to the
organism when it is in its 'standard anatomical position'.
Thus, and very importantly, ''all descriptions are with respect to the organism in its standard anatomical position'', even when the organism in question has appendages in another position. For example, see Fig. 8, where the tentacles are curved, and therefore not in anatomical position. However, a straight position is assumed when describing the
proximo-distal axis. This helps avoid confusion in terminology when referring to the same organism in different postures.
Invertebrate and vertebrate zootomy
There is no formal definition of standard anatomical position used in most
zoology. However, the position can be loosely defined as that position in which the organism will usually be found when at rest. Thus, for most
invertebrates, this would be the position in which they are normally found when not feeding, hiding, actively moving, and so on (see Figs. 6–9, below), and any
appendages are straight.
For
bilaterally-symmetrical organisms, such
vertebrates or some invertebrates, this can be refined to include that the organisms are standing erect in a normal posture, and looking forward.
[1] (For example, see Figs. 2–4, below.)
Medical (human) anatomy
Unlike the situation in zootomy, standard anatomical position is rigidly defined for human anatomy. As with other vertebrates, the human body is standing erect and at rest. Unlike the situation in other vertebrates, the limbs (arms and legs) are placed in unnatural positions reminiscent of the
supine position adopted by
cadavers during autopsy. Therefore, the body has its feet together (or slightly separated), and its arms are rotated outward so that the
palms are forward, and the
thumbs are pointed away from the body (forearms supine). As well, the arms are usually moved slightly out from the body, so that the hands do not touch the sides.
[2][3] The positions of the limbs (and the arms in particular) have important implications for directional terms in those appendages.
Skull
In humans, the anatomical position of the
skull has been agreed by international convention to be the
Frankfurt plane, a position where the lower margins of the
orbits and the upper margins of the
ear canals all lie in the same horizontal plane. This is a good approximation to the position where the subject is standing upright and facing forwards.
Directional terms
Ultimately, the bodies we are most familiar with are vertebrate bodies similar to our own. All
vertebrates (including humans) have the same basic body plan (or
bauplan) — they are
bilaterally symmetrical. That is, they have mirror-image left and right halves if divided down the centre.
[4][5][6][7] For these reasons, the basic directional terms can be considered to be those used in vertebrates. By extension, the same terms are used for many other (
invertebrate) organisms as well.
Vertebrate directional terms
To begin, distinct, polar-opposite ends of the
organism are chosen. By definition, each pair of opposite points defines an 'axis'. In a bilaterally-symmetrical organism, there are 6 polar opposite points, giving three axes that intersect at right angles — the x, y, and z axes familiar from three-dimensional geometry.
Anterior and posterior
The most obvious end-points are the "nose" and "tail" (see Fig. 2). Anatomically, the nose is referred to as the '
anterior end' (
Latin ''ante''; before). In organisms like vertebrates, that have distinct heads, the anterior end is sometimes referred to as the 'rostral end' (Latin ''rostrum''; beak), the 'cranial end' (Greek ''kranion''; skull), or the 'cephalic end' (
Greek ''kephalē''; head).
[4][5][7] For reasons of broader applicability, especially in organisms without distinct heads (many
invertebrates), "anterior" is usually preferred.
[5][12][13]
The polar opposite to the anterior end is the '
posterior end' (
Latin ''post''; after). Another term for posterior is 'caudal' (Latin ''caudum''; tail) — a term which strictly applies only to
vertebrates, and therefore less preferred.
[5][12][13]
By drawing a line connecting these two points, we define the 'anteroposterior axis' (sometimes written antero-posterior). Less-used synonyms would be rostrocaudal or cephalocaudal axes (see Table 1). For brevity, the term anteroposterior is often abbreviated to read 'AP' (or A-P) 'axis'. As well as defining the anteroposterior axis, the terms "anterior" and "posterior" also define 'relative positions' along the axis. Thus, in the fish in Fig. 2, the gill openings are ''posterior'' relative ''to'' the eyes, but ''anterior to'' the tail.
'Table 1: Defined Axes in Vertebrate Zoology'| Directional term | Defined Axis | Synonyms | Axis runs... |
|---|
| Anterior | Anteroposterior | Rostrocaudal1, Craniocaudal1, Cephalocaudal2 | ...from head end to opposite end of body or tail. |
| Posterior |
| Dorsal | Dorsoventral | — | ...from spinal column (back) to belly (front). |
| Ventral |
| Left (lateral) | Left-right | Dextro-sinister2, Sinistro-dexter2 | ...from left to right sides of body. |
| Right (lateral) |
| Medial | Mediolateral3 | — | ...from centre of organism to one or other side. |
| Left or right (lateral) |
| Proximal | Proximodistal | — | ...from tip of an appendage (distal) to where it joins the body (proximal). |
| Distal |
'Notes:'
(1) Fairly common usage.
(2) Uncommon usage.
(3) Equivalent to one-half of the left-right axis.
(The terms "intermediate", "ipsilateral", "contralateral", "superficial" and "deep", while indicating directions, are relative terms and thus do not properly define fixed anatomical axes.) |
Dorsal and ventral
The next most obvious end-points are the back and belly. These are termed the '
dorsal end' (Latin ''dorsum''; back) and the '
ventral end' (Latin ''venter'';
abdomen), respectively. By connecting the outermost points the 'dorsoventral axis' is formed (sometimes hyphenated: 'dorso-ventral'). This is commonly abbreviated to 'DV' (or D-V) 'axis'. The DV axis, by definition, is perpendicular (at right angles to) the AP axis at all times (see below).
As with anteroposterior, the terms "dorsal" and "ventral" are also used to describe relative positions along the dorsoventral axis. Thus, the
pectoral fins are ''dorsal to'' the
anal fin, but ''ventral to'' the
dorsal fin in Fig. 2. (Note that these fins are not aligned anteroposteriorly, either — the dorsal fin being posterior to the pectoral, and anterior to the anal fins, respectively.)
Left and right (lateral), and medial
The last axis, by
geometric definition, must be at right angles to both the AP and DV axes. Obviously, the 'left side' and 'right side' of the organism are the outermost points between the two "sides" of the organism. When connected, these points form the 'left-right axis' (commonly abbreviated to 'LR' (or L-R) 'axis'. Properly, this is called the 'dextro-sinistral' (or, more uncommonly, the 'sinistro-dextral') 'axis', from the
Latin '''dexter''' (right) and '''sinister''' (left). 'It is important to note that the "left" and "right" sides are the sides of ''the organism'', and not those of ''the observer''.'
In practice, and contradictory to the practice with other anatomical terms of location, the
vernacular "left-right" is preferentially used in English and some other languages. This is likely due to the adoption of the Latin "
sinister" to mean "evil" in English
[17] and other languages (''e.g. sinistre'' in French has the same connotation
[18]).
As with the other directions, the terms can be used as relative terms, to describe locations along the left-right axis. Thus, in Fig. 2 the
dorsal fin is ''right of'' the left
pectoral fin, but is ''left of'' the right
eye. However, as left and right sides are
mirror images, usage like this tends to be somewhat confusing, as structures are duplicated on both sides (''i.e.'' above there is both a right eye and a left eye, forcing one to specify which is used as a reference).
To counter this clumsiness of usage, the directional term 'lateral' (
Latin ''lateralis''; "to the side") is used as a modifier for both sides, yielding the 'left lateral' and 'right lateral' sides. As an opposite to lateral, the term 'medial' (
Latin ''medius''; "middle") is used to define a point in the centre of the organism (where the left-right axis intersects the
midsagittal plane — see below). Thus, rather than "left-right" axis and its inherent clumsiness of usage, the term 'mediolateral' (also sometimes hyphenated 'medio-lateral') 'axis' is frequently used. Sometimes this is abbreviated to 'ML' (or M-L) 'axis'.
[4][5][7] Properly, the ML axis is a half axis; practically, its usage is less clumsy and less linguistically biased than "left-right". The terms may still be used relatively to describe locations along the LR axis. Thus, in Fig. 2 the
gills are ''medial to'' the
operculum, but ''lateral to'' the
heart.
The usage "mediolateral" is strictly used to describe relative position along the left-right axis, to avoid confusion with the terms "superficial" and "deep" (see below).
Sources of confusion
Together, the AP, DV and LR (or ML) axes allow for precise three-dimensional descriptions of location within any
bilaterally-symmetrical organism, whether
vertebrate or
invertebrate. In practice, the terms can cause some confusion when, unlike the fish shown in Fig. 2, the organism in question is not strictly linear in form (see Figs. 3 and 4). For example, the AP axis in Fig. 3 does not appear to be at right angles to the DV axis. Rather, it is a depiction of the approximate average AP axis, when all body segments are included.
When considering ''any one segment'', the dorsoventral axis is perpendicular to the AP axis. Thus, in Fig. 4, the DV axis of the tail would run from the "back" of the tail (posterior end of the trunk), to the "underside" of the tail (near the legs) — nearly parallel to the AP axis of the main body.
As a general rule of thumb, if the body is included in consideration, the AP axis of the main body would be used, as would the DV and ML axes perpendicular to it. However, if considering ''only'' one segment, the AP axis would shift to reflect the axes shown in Fig. 4, with the DV and ML axes shifting correspondingly. Alternatively, to avoid confusion, AP, DV and ML terms are used ''strictly'' in relation to the main body, and the terms proximal and distal are used for body segments such as the head, neck and tail (see below).
Proximal and distal
The term 'proximal' (
Latin ''proximus''; nearest) is used to describe where the appendage joins the body, and the term 'distal' (Latin ''distare''; to stand away from) is used for the point furthest from the point of attachment to the body. Since
appendages often move independently of (and therefore change position with respect to) the main body, these separate directional terms are used when describing them.
As noted above, the standard AP, DV and ML directional axes, can cause some confusion when describing parts of the body that can change position (move) relative to the main body. This is particularly true when considering '
appendages'. "Appendages" would include
vertebrate fins (see Fig. 2) and
limbs (see Figs. 3 and 4), but properly apply to any structure that extends (and can at least potentially move separately) from the main body. Thus, "appendage" would also include such structures as external
ears (
pinneae) and
hair (in
mammals),
feathers (in
birds) and
scales (
fish,
reptiles and birds). As well, varieties of
tentacles or and other projections from the body in
invertebrates and the male
penis in many vertebrates and some invertebrates, would be included.
By connecting the two points, the 'proximodistal' (sometimes hyphenated to 'proximo-distal') 'axis'. (The abbreviation 'AB axis' is occasionally, but not commonly, used.) As before, the terms "proximal" and "distal" can be used as relative terms to indicate where structures lie along the proximodistal axis. Thus, the "elbow" is proximal to the hoof, but distal to the "shoulder" in Figs. 3 and 4.
Choosing terms for the other two axes perpendicular to the proximodistal axis could be variable, as they would also depend on the position of the limb. For that reason, when considering any organism, the other two axes are considered to be relative to the appendage 'when in standard anatomical position'. This is roughly defined for all organisms, as in the normal position when at rest and not moving. For
tetrapod vertebrates, this includes the caveat that they are standing erect and not lying down. Thus, the fish in Fig. 2, and the horse in Figs. 3 and 4 are in standard anatomical position. (Special considerations with respect to limb position are applied in human anatomy — see below).
Other directional terms
In addition to the three primary axes (AP, DV and the ML half-axis) and the proximodistal axis of appendages, several directional terms can be used in
bilaterally symmetrical animals. These terms are 'strictly relative', and as such ''do not and cannot be used to define fixed axes''. These terms include:
★ 'Ipsilateral' (
Latin ''ipse''; self/same): on the same side as another structure. Thus, the left arm is 'ipsilateral to' the left leg.
★ 'Contralateral' (Latin ''contra''; against): on the opposite from another structure. Thus, the left arm is 'contralateral to' the right arm, or the right leg.
★ 'Superficial' (Latin ''superfacies; at the surface or face''): near the outer surface of the organism. Thus, skin is 'superficial to' the muscle layer. The opposite is "deep", or "
visceral".
★ 'Deep': further away from the surface of the organism. Thus, the muscular layer is 'deep to' the skin, but superficial to the intestines. This is one of the few terms where the English vernacular is prevalent. The proper anglicised Latin term would be 'profound' (Latin ''profundus''; due to depth), but this word has other meanings in English. In other languages, the equivalent term is usually similar to "profound" (''e.g. profond'', meaning deep, in French).
★ 'Intermediate' (Latin ''intermedius''; ''inter'', between and ''medius'', middle): between two other structures. Thus, the
navel is 'intermediate to' (or 'intermediate between') the left arm and the contralateral (right) leg.
★ 'Visceral' (Latin ''viscus''; ''internal organs'', ''flesh''): organs within the body's cavities. The stomach is within the abdominal cavity, and is thus visceral.
Invertebrate directional terms
The large variety of
body shapes present in invertebrates presents a difficult problem when attempting to apply standard directional terms. Depending on the organism, some terms are taken by analogy from the vertebrate terms, and appropriate novel terms are applied, as necessary. In all cases, the usage of terms is dependent on the
bauplan of the organism.
Asymmetrical and
spherical organisms
In organisms with a changeable shape, such as
amoeboid organisms (Fig. 5a), directional terms are meaningless, since the shape of the organism is changeable, and no fixed axes are present. Similarly, in organisms that are
spherical in shape (Fig. 5b), there is nothing to distinguish one line through the centre of the organism from another. An infinite number of triads of mutually perpendicular axes could be defined, but any such choice of axes would be functionally and practically indistinguishable from all others, and therefore would be useless. In such organisms, only the terms ''superficial'' and ''deep'' hold any descriptive meaning.
Elongated organisms
In organisms that maintain a constant shape and have one dimension longer than the other, at least two directional terms can be used. The 'long' or 'longitudinal axis' is defined by points at the opposite ends of the organism. Similarly, a perpendicular 'transverse axis' can be defined by points on opposite sides of the organism. There is typically no basis for the definition of a third axis. Usually such organisms, like that pictured in Fig. 6, are
planktonic (free-swimming)
protists, and are nearly always viewed on microscope slides, where they appear essentially two-dimensional. In some cases a third axis can be defined, particularly where a non-terminal
cytostome or other unique structure is present.
[13]
Elongated organisms with distinctive ends
Some elongated
protists have distinctive ends of the body. In such organisms, the end with a mouth (or equivalent structure, such as the
cytostome in ''
Paramecium'' or ''
Stentor''), or the end that usually points in the direction of the organism's
locomotion (such as the end opposite the
flagellum in ''
Euglena''), is normally designated as the 'anterior end'. The opposite end then becomes the 'posterior end', and by connecting them, an 'anteroposterior axis' is formed.
[13] Properly, this terminology would only apply to an organism that is always
planktonic (not normally attached to a surface — as in Fig. 6 top), although the term can also be applied to one that is
sessile (normally attached to a surface — as in Fig. 6, bottom and Fig. 7).
Organisms that are attached to a
substrate, such as
sponges (Fig. 7), or some
animal-like protists also have distinctive ends. The part of the organism attached to the substrate is usually referred to as the 'basal end' (
Latin ''basis''; support or foundation), whereas the end furthest from the attachment is referred to as the 'apical end' (Latin ''apex''; peak, tip). Thus, by joining the two ends, an 'apical-basal' (or 'basal-apical') 'axis' is formed (see Fig. 7). 'Transverse axes' may be defined indifferently in any direction perpendicular to this axis, as there is no symmetry present.
Radially-symmetrical organisms
Radially symmetrical organisms include those in the group
Radiata — primarily
jellyfish, sea anemones and corals and the
comb jellies.
[5][13] Adult
echinoderms (sea stars (starfish), sea urchins, and sea cucumbers and others) are also included, since they are pentaradial (''i.e.'' they have five-fold
discrete rotational symmetry). Echinoderm
larvae are ''not'' included, since they are
bilaterally symmetrical.
[5][13]
'Figure 8:' ''Chrysoara spp.'' (a
jellyfish), showing the oral-aboral, and proximodistal axes. (Note that the
appendages are not in standard anatomical position, so that the axis is curved.)
Unlike spherical and asymmetrical organisms, radially-symmetrical animals always have one distinctive axis.
Cnidarians have an incomplete digestive system, meaning that one end of the organism has a mouth, and the opposite end has no opening from the gut (coelenteron).
[13] For this reason, the end of the organism with the mouth is referred to as the 'oral end' (
Latin ''oris''; mouth), and the opposite surface is the 'aboral end' (Latin ''ab-''; prefix meaning "away from"). Thus, by joining the polar opposite oral and aboral ends, an 'oral-aboral axis' is formed (Fig. 8).
As with vertebrates,
appendages that move independently of the body (
tentacles in
cnidarians and
comb jellies), have a definite 'proximodistal axis' (Fig. 8). Unlike vertebrates, cnidarians (jellyfish, sea anemones, corals) have no other distinctive axes, and multiple 'radial axes' are possible (Fig. 9).
It is noteworthy that some "biradially-symmetrical"
comb jellies have distinct "'tentacular'" and "'pharyngeal'" axes,
[29] and are thus anatomically equivalent to
bilaterally-symmetrical animals. As well, adult
echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers) are ''pentaradial'', and have only five symmetrical radial axes (unlike the multiple axes in cnidarians).
"'Lateral'", 'dorsal', and 'ventral' have no meaning in such organisms, and all can be replaced by the generic term 'peripheral' (Latin ''peri-''; around; see Table 2). 'Medial' can be used, but in the case of radiates indicates the central ''point'' of these organisms, rather than a central ''axis'' (as in vertebrates). Thus, as there are many possible radial axes, there are multiple 'medio-peripheral' (half-) 'axes' (Fig. 9).
'Table 2: Comparison of Directional Terms used in
Radially-Symmetrical1 and Bilaterally-Symmetrical Animals'| Bilateral Bauplans | Radial Bauplans |
|---|
| 'Direction' | 'Synonyms' | 'Direction' | 'Synonyms' |
| Anterior | Rostral, Cranial, Cephalic2 | Oral | Apical3 |
| Posterior | Caudal2 | Aboral | Basal3 |
| Dorsal | — | Peripheral4,5 | — |
| Ventral | — | Peripheral4,5 | — |
| Left (lateral) | Sinister | Peripheral4,5 | — |
| Right (lateral) | Dexter | Peripheral4,5 | — |
| Medial | — | ''Same''6 | — |
| Proximal | — | ''Same'' | — |
| Distal | — | ''Same'' | — |
'Notes:'
(1) Includes both Radiates and adult Echinoderms.
(2) Rarely used.
(3) Only in organisms attached to a substrate.
(4) Vertebrate equivalents are meaningless in radial animals.
(5) Roughly equivalent to "superficial".
(6) Roughly equivalent to "deep". |
Medical (human) directional terms
As we are
bilaterally-symmetrical organisms, anatomical directions in
humans can correctly be described using the same terms as those for vertebrates and other members of the taxonomic group
Bilateria. However, for historical and other reasons, standard human directional terminology has several differences from that used for other bilaterally-symmetrical organisms.
Why zootomy and human anatomy terms differ
Although it can be argued that the standard directional nomenclature used for vertebrate zootomy can and should be used for
medical anatomy, the differences persist. The differences in terminology arose (and are perpetuated) for three primary reasons:
★ Early
human anatomical studies (being within the realm of
medicine) were historically conducted separately from, and without reference to, those being done by
zootomists.
★ Early zoological and human anatomical studies occurred before modern understanding of the process of
biological evolution, and humans were widely viewed as "different" from (and "superior to") all other animals, and thus meriting their own terminology.
★ Unlike most
tetrapod vertebrates, humans are not
quadrupedal (walking on four legs), but rather are secondarily
bipedal (walking on two legs). Human bipedalism causes shifts in the angle of the appendages (arms and legs) and head, with respect to the main body. Thus, it can be (and is) argued that separate terminology is necessary to adequately describe the unique bipedal stance of humans.
Unfortunately, the persistence of medical terminology as distinct from that used for other vertebrates tends to be confusing. For a quick comparison of equivalent terminology used in vertebrate and human anatomy, see Table 3 (below).
'Table 3: Equivalent Directional Terms used in
Vertebrate Zoology and Human Anatomy'| Vertebrate zootomy | Human anatomy |
|---|
| 'Direction' | 'Synonyms' | 'Direction' | 'Synonyms' |
| Anterior | Rostral, Cranial, Cephalic1 | Superior | ''Same''1 |
| Posterior | Caudal | Inferior | Caudal1 |
| Dorsal | — | Posterior | Dorsal2 |
| Ventral | — | Anterior | Ventral1 |
| Left (lateral) | Sinister1 | ''Same'' | — |
| Right (lateral) | Dexter1 | ''Same'' | — |
| Medial | — | ''Same'' | — |
| Proximal | — | ''Same'' | — |
| Distal | — | ''Same'' | — |
| Intermediate3 | — | ''Same'' | — |
| Ipsilateral3 | — | ''Same'' | — |
| Contralateral3 | — | ''Same'' | — |
| Superficial3 | — | ''Same'' | — |
| Deep3 | — | ''Same'' | — |
'Notes:'
(1) Rarely used.
(2) Used only to describe one side of an appendage.
(3) Strictly relative term, used with other locational descriptors. |
Superior and inferior
As with other vertebrates, two of the most obvious extremes are the "top" and the "bottom" of the organism. In standard anatomical position, these correspond to the head and feet, respectively in humans. The head end is referred to as the 'superior end' (
Latin ''superior'': "above"), while the feet are referred to as the 'inferior end' (Latin ''inferior'': "below"). Thus, the axis formed by joining the two is the 'superior-inferior axis'.
[30][31]
As in other vertebrates, there are synonymous terms for superior and inferior (Table 3). The terms 'cranial', 'cephalic', and 'rostral' are occasionally encountered. "Cranial", as a reference to the skull, is fairly commonly used, whereas "cephalic" is uncommonly used, and "rostral" is rarely used in human anatomy.
[32] Similarly, the term 'caudal' is occasionally used in human anatomy,
[32] and the 'cranio-caudal axis' is occasionally encountered. Generally, this usage would only be used with respect to the head and main body (trunk), and not when considering the limbs.
As with vertebrate directional terms, superior and inferior can be used in a relative sense. For example, the
shoulders are ''superior to'' the
navel, but ''inferior to'' the
eyes.
Anterior and posterior
'Anterior' and 'posterior', as used in medical/human anatomical descriptions are major sources of confusion to those accustomed to standard vertebrate directional terminology, and ''vice versa''. The confusion arises from the differences in 'standard anatomical positions' of
quadruped vertebrates and
bipedal humans.
In human anatomical usage, 'anterior' refers to the "front" of the individual, and is ''synonymous with 'ventral'''. Similarly, 'posterior', in medical anatomy refers to the "back" of the subject, and is ''synonymous with 'dorsal''' (see Table 3).
[34] The terms "dorsal" and "ventral" are used in human anatomy, but infrequently when referring to the body as a whole.
[35] Thus, the 'anteroposterior axis' is preferred usage for describing the axis connecting the front and the back in humans.
[36][34]
As in other vertebrates, "anterior" and "posterior" can also be used as relative terms. Thus, the
eyes are ''posterior to'' the
nose, but ''anterior to'' the back of the head.
Left and right (lateral), and medial
Left and right 'lateral' are used in the same sense as they are in other vertebrates, as is 'medial'. The 'left-right axis' is rarely used in medicine, however; the 'mediolateral axis' is used almost exclusively.
[38][32]
Appendages
As in other vertebrates, the terms "'proximal'" and "'distal'" are used to describe the point of attachment to, and part of an appendage furthest away from, the body, respectively. However, other terms are used for direction in the appendages, given the unique position of the limbs (in standard anatomical position) in humans.
Arms
=
In standard anatomical position, the palms of the hands point anteriorly. Thus, 'anterior' can be (and sometimes is) used to describe the
palm of the hand, and 'posterior' can be (and sometimes is) used to describe the back of the hand and arm.
However, presumably for improved clarity, the directional term 'palmar' (
Latin ''palma''; palm of the hand) is usually used for the anterior of the hand, and 'dorsal' is used to describe the back of the hand. Thus, by connecting the extremes, 'dorsopalmar axis' is formed. Most commonly, "dorsopalmar" is used when describing the hand, although it is sometimes applied to the arm as a whole (see Fig. 11).
For the third axis, the 'mediolateral' axis suffices, although if referring to the limb alone, "medial" may refer to the centre of the arm itself.
Relative directions
Also, in common usage, the segments of the
digestive system closest to the
mouth are termed 'proximal', as opposed to those closest to the
anus, which are termed 'distal'.
Relative directions in the limbs
Specialized terms are used to describe location on appendages, parts that have a point of attachment to the main trunk of the body. Structures that are close to the point of attachment of the body are 'proximal' or 'central', while ones more distant from the attachment point are 'distal' or 'peripheral'. For example, the hands are at the distal end of the arms, while the shoulders are at the proximal ends. These terms can also be used relatively to organs, for example the proximal end of the
urethra is attached to the
bladder.
In the limbs of most animals, the terms 'cranial' and 'caudal' are used in the regions proximal to the carpus (the
wrist, in the forelimb) and the tarsus (the
ankle in the hindlimb). Objects and surfaces closer to or facing towards the head are ''cranial''; those facing away or further from the head are ''caudal''.
Nearer the carpal joint, the term 'dorsal' replaces 'cranial' and 'palmar' replaces 'caudal'. Similarly, nearer the tarsal joint the term 'dorsal' replaces 'cranial' and 'plantar' replaces 'caudal'. For example, the top of a
dog's
paw is its ''dorsal'' surface; the underside, either the ''palmar'' (on the forelimb) or the ''plantar'' (on the hindlimb) surface.
The sides of the forearm are named after its bones: Structures closer to the
radius are 'radial', structures closer to the
ulna are 'ulnar', and structures relating to both bones are referred to as 'radioulnar'. Similarly, in the lower leg, structures near the
tibia (shinbone) are 'tibial' and structures near the
fibula are 'fibular' (or 'peroneal').
'Volar' (sometimes used as a synonym for "palmar") refers to the underside, for both the palm and the sole (''plantar''), as in 'volar pads' on the underside of hands, fingers, feet and toes.
The terms
valgus and
varus are used to refer to angulation of the distal part of a limb at a joint. For example, at the
elbow joint, in the anatomical position, the forearm and the upper arm do not lie in a straight line, but the forearm is angulated laterally with respect to the upper arm by about 5–10°. The forearm is said to be "in valgus". Angulation at a joint may be normal (as in the elbow) or abnormal.
Planes
Anatomical planes in a human
General usage
Three basic reference planes are used in zoological anatomy.
★ A '
sagittal plane' divides the body into sinister and dexter (left and right) portions.
★
★ The 'midsagittal' or 'median' plane is in the midline — ''i.e.'' it would pass through midline structures such as the
navel or
spine, and all other sagittal planes (also referred to as 'parasagittal planes') are parallel to it.
★ A '
coronal' or 'frontal' plane divides the body into dorsal and ventral (back and front, or posterior and anterior) portions.
★ A '
transverse plane', also known as an ''axial plane'' or ''cross-section'', divides the body into cranial and caudal (head and tail) portions.
For post-
embryo humans a
coronal plane is vertical and a transverse plane is horizontal, but for embryos and quadrupeds a coronal plane is horizontal and a transverse plane is vertical.
When describing anatomical motion, these planes describe the axis along which an action is performed. So by moving through the transverse plane, movement travels from head to toe. For example, if a person jumped directly up and then down, their body would be moving in the transverse plane.
Some of these terms come from Latin. ''Sagittal'' means "like an arrow", a reference to the position of the spine which naturally divides the body into right and left equal halves, the exact meaning of the term "midsagittal".
A ''longitudinal plane'' is any plane perpendicular to the transverse plane. The
coronal plane and the
sagittal plane are examples of longitudinal planes.
Usage in human anatomy
Sometimes the orientation of certain planes needs to be distinguished, for instance in
medical imaging techniques such as
sonography,
CT scans,
MRI scans or
PET scans. One imagines a human in the anatomical position, and an X-Y-Z
coordinate system with the X-axis going from front to back, the Y-axis going from left to right, and the Z-axis going from up to down. The X-axis axis is always forward (
Tait-Bryan angles) and the
right-hand rule applies.
★ A 'transverse' (also known as 'axial' or 'horizontal') plane is an X-Y plane, parallel to the ground, which (in humans) separates the from the , or put another way, the head from the feet.
★ A 'coronal' (also known as 'frontal') plane is an Y-Z plane,
perpendicular to the ground, which (in humans) separates the anterior from the posterior, the front from the back, the ventral from the dorsal.
★ A 'sagittal' (also known as 'median') plane is an X-Z plane, perpendicular to the ground, which separates left from right. The midsagittal plane is the specific
sagittal plane that is exactly in the middle of the body.
The axes and the sagittal plane are the same for bipeds and quadrupeds, but the orientation of the coronal and transverse planes switch. The axes on particular pieces of equipment may or may not correspond to axes of the body, especially since the body and the equipment may be in different relative orientations.
Occasionally, in medicine,
abdominal organs may be described with reference to the 'trans-pyloric plane' which is a transverse plane passing through the
pylorus.
Anatomical planes in animal brains
In discussing the
neuroanatomy of animals, particularly
rodents used in
neuroscience research, the convention has been to name the sections of the brain according to the homologous human sections. Hence, what is technically a ''transverse'' section with respect to the body of a rat (dividing anterior from posterior) may often be referred to in rat neuroanatomical coordinates as a ''coronal'' section, and likewise a ''coronal'' section with respect to the body (ie. dividing ventral from dorsal) in a rat brain is referred to as ''transverse''. This preserves the comparison with the human brain which is rotated with respect to the body axis by '90 degrees' in the ventral direction. It does mean that the planes of the rat brain are not necessarily the same as those of the body.
Surface and other landmarks in humans
In humans, reference may be made to landmarks which are on the skin or visible underneath. As with planes, lines and points are imaginary. Examples include:
★ The 'mid-axillary line', a line running vertically down the surface of the body passing through the apex of the
axilla (armpit). Parallel are the 'anterior axillary line', which passes through the anterior axillary skinfold, and the 'posterior axillary line', which passes through the posterior axillary skinfold.
★ The '
mid-clavicular line', a line running vertically down the surface of the body passing through the midpoint of the
clavicle.
★ The 'mid-pupillary line', a line running vertically down the face through the midpoint of the
pupil when looking directly forwards.
★ The 'mid-inguinal point', a point midway between the anterior superior
iliac spine and the
pubic symphysis.
★
★ mid-point of inguinal ligament = mid-point between anterior superior iliac spine and pubic tubercle
★ 'Tuffier's line', which is a transverse line passing across the lumbar spine between the posterior
iliac crests.
★ 'Mid-ventral line', the intersection between the ventral skin and the median plane.
Additionally, reference may be made to structures at specific levels of the
spine (e.g. the 4th
cervical vertebra, abbreviated "C4"), or the rib cage (e.g. the 5th
intercostal space, abbreviated "5ICS").
Relative motions
Main articles: Anatomical terms of motion
Notes
1. Campbell and Reece (2005), ''p.'' 630.
2. Marieb (1995), ''pp.'' 13–14.
3. Tortora and Derrickson (2006), ''pp.'' 12–13
4. Kardong (2005).
5. Hickman ''et al.'' (2003).
6. Houseman (2003).
7. Wischnitzer (1993).
8. Kardong (2005).
9. Hickman ''et al.'' (2003).
10. Wischnitzer (1993).
11. Hickman ''et al.'' (2003).
12. Miller (2002).
13. Ruppert ''et al.'' (2004).
14. Hickman ''et al.'' (2003).
15. Miller (2002).
16. Ruppert ''et al.'' (2004).
17. Barber (1998).
18. Atkins ''et al.'' (1993).
19. Kardong (2005).
20. Hickman ''et al.'' (2003).
21. Wischnitzer (1993).
22. Ruppert ''et al.'' (2004).
23. Ruppert ''et al.'' (2004).
24. Hickman ''et al.'' (2003).
25. Ruppert ''et al.'' (2004).
26. Hickman ''et al.'' (2003).
27. Ruppert ''et al.'' (2004).
28. Ruppert ''et al.'' (2004).
29. Ruppert ''et al.'' (2004), ''p.'' 184.
30. Marieb (1995)
31. Tortora and Derrickson (2006)
32. Tortora and Derrickson (2006), ''p.'' 14.
33. Tortora and Derrickson (2006), ''p.'' 14.
34. Tortora and Derrickson (2006) ''p.'' 14.
35. The term "dorsal" is used with respect to limb position, however.
36. Marieb (1995) ''p.'' 16
37. Tortora and Derrickson (2006) ''p.'' 14.
38. Marieb (1995), ''p.'' 16.
39. Tortora and Derrickson (2006), ''p.'' 14.
References
★ Atkins, B.T., Duval, A., Lewis, H.M.A., and Milne, R.C. (1993) ''Collins-Robert French-English, English-French Dictionary, 2
nd ed.'' HarperCollins, Glasgow UK and Le Robert, Paris, France. ISBN:0-06-275513-7
★ Barber, K., ed. (1998) ''The Canadian Oxford English Dictionary''. Oxford University Press, Don Mills, ON, Canada. ISBN:0-19-541120-X
★ Campbell, N.A. and Reece, J.B. (2005) ''Biology, 7
th ed.'' Pearson, San Francisco, CA, USA. ISBN:0-8053-7166-4
★ Hickman, C.P., Jr., Roberts, L.S. and Larson, A. (2003) ''Animal Diversity, 3
rd ed.'' McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, USA. ISBN:0-07-234903-4
★ Houseman, J. (2003) ''Digital Zoology, v. 2.0.'' McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, USA. ISBN:0-07-256481-4
★ Kardong, K. (2005) ''Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution, 4
th ed.'' McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, USA. ISBN:0-07-290956-0
★ Marieb, E.N. (1995) ''Human Anatomy and Physiology, 3
rd ed.'' Benjamin/Cummings, Redwood City, CA, USA. ISBN:0-8053-4281-8
★ Miller, S.A. (2002) ''General Zoology Laboratory Manual, 5
th ed.'' McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, USA. ISBN:0-07-250837-0 (Mix from ISBN:0-07-243559-3)
★ Ruppert, E.E., Fox, R.S. and Barnes, R.D. (2004) ''Invertebrate Zoology: A Functional Evolutionary Approach, 7
th ed.'' Thomson, Belmont, CA, USA. ISBN:0-03-025982-7
★ Tortora, G.J. and Derrickson, B. (2006) ''Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 11
th ed.'' Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, USA. ISBN:0-471-68934-3
★ Wischnitzer, S. (1993) ''Atlas and Dissection Guide for Comparative Anatomy, 5
th ed.'' W.H. Freeman, New York. ISBN:0-71-672374-3
External links
★
Directions, cross sections, and divisions of the human brain
★
Anatomy of the lower limb
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