On this page you will learn and review key terms.

These terms will be

important to recall quickly as you read and view content throughout the
course. That is why it is essential you know them well.

On the next page you will have a chance to practice these terms. You are
encouraged to come back to this page as many times as you need to ensure
you have memorized the terms.
Standard anatomical position: This is a body position in which the head
faces forward, the palms of the hands face forward, and the soles of the feet
face downward. All anatomical descriptions assume that the patient is in this
position. Standard anatomical position is represented by the following image:

Supine: The body is in this position when lying face upward. The supine
position is represented by the following image:
Prone: The body is in the prone position when lying, face downward. The
prone position is represented by the following image:
Anterior aspect: The anterior aspect is the view of the body from the front. It
is represented by the same image as the standard anatomical position. Note
that the anterior aspect is the view of the body or the perspective on it, while
standard anatomical position is the position of the body. Here is the image
that represents the anterior aspect:
Lateral aspect: The view of the body from the side. Please note that this is
distinct from the term lateral, when it refers to the distance of something from
the body's midline (see below). The lateral aspect is represented by the image
below:
Posterior aspect: The view of the body from the back. The posterior aspect is
represented by the following image:

Superficial: This term refers to things closer to the surface of the body. It is
represented by the following image:
Deep: This term refers to things farther from the surface of the body. It is
represented by the following image:
Superior: This term refers to things closer to the head. It is represented by
the image below:
Inferior: This term refers to things closer to the feet. It can be represented by
the image below:
Medial: This term refers to things closer to the midline of the body. It is
represented by the image below:
Lateral: Not to be confused with the lateral aspect. Lateral refers to things
farther from the midline of the body. It can be represented by the image
below:
Proximal: This term refers to things closer to the heart. It can be represented
by the image below:
Distal: This term refers to things farther from the heart. It can be represented
by the image below:
Central regions of the body: The central regions of the body include the
head, neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. The central regions are represented
by the image below:
Upper limb regions: This includes the brachium (arm), antebrachium
(forearm), and hand. It can be represented by the image below:
Lower limb regions: This includes the thigh, crus (leg), and foot. The lower
limb regions can be represented by the image below:
Sagittal plane: The sagittal plane is the imaginary plane that divides the body
into left and right sections. The sagittal plane is represented by the following
image:
Coronal plane: The coronal plane is the imaginary plane that divides the
body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. It is represented by the
following image:
Axial plane: The axial plane is the imaginary plane that divides the body into
transverse or cross-sections. It can be represented by the following image: