Dissection Vocabulary Terms

Anterior and Posterior

• Posterior – toward the rear, tail, or feet

• Anterior – toward the head

Dorsal and Ventral

• Dorsal – toward the back

• Ventral – toward the front

Rostral and Caudal

• Rostral – toward the head or nose

• Caudal – toward the rear or tail

Superior and Inferior

• Superior – above, over, on top

• Inferior – below, under

Proximal and Distal

• Proximal – near, closer to the point of origin

• Distal – away, farther from the point of origin

Lateral and Medial

• Lateral – toward the side, away from the midline

• Medial – toward the midline, away from the side, in the middle

Sagittal, Coronal, and Transverse Planes

• Sagittal Plane – divides body into right and left sides

• Coronal (Frontal) Plane – divides body into front and back regions

• Transverse Plane – divides body into upper and lower regions