Anatomical position and planes
Anatomical language starts with a standardized reference position: standing upright, face forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward. Descriptions remain referenced to the subject, not the viewer.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Anatomical position and planes — learning map
Original conceptual SVG · scalableOriginal schematic relationship map for this topic; relationships are organized for study, not intended as an anatomical depiction or a diagnostic algorithm.
Sagittal plane
A sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions; a median sagittal plane divides it into approximately equal halves.
Coronal plane
A coronal or frontal plane separates anterior and posterior portions of the body.
Transverse plane
A transverse or axial plane separates superior and inferior portions; an imaging section can be angled rather than perfectly horizontal.
Directional pairs
Medial is toward the median plane; lateral is away from it. Proximal and distal describe positions relative to the origin of a limb or structure.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.