Planes of the Body
General Terms
General Terms p.2
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal p.2
100

any plane other than the previously identified ones

What is an oblique plane?

100

Towards the middle of the body. 

What is medial?
100

Towards the point of origin (closer in relative to another more distant item).

What is proximal?

100

Bending a limb, which decreases the angle between bones.

What is Flexion?

100

Bending a limb that increases the angle between bones.

What is Extension?

200

A horizontal plane

What is a Transverse Plane (cross sectional plane, axial plane)?

200
Towards the lower end, opposite of superior.

What is inferior, caudal?

200

Towards the back side. 

What is posterior, dorsal?
200

Moving a limb that moves inferiorly.

What is depression?

200

Body lying down with the face facing upward.

What is supine?

300

a sagittal plane that is drawn at midline

What is a mid-sagittal plane?

300

Towards the front side. 

What is anterior, ventral?

300

Away from the middle of the body. 

What is lateral?

300

Body lying down with the face facing downward.

What is prone?

300

Moving a limb that moves away from the body.

What is Abduction?

400

a vertical plane that separates left and right

What is Sagittal Plane (lateral plane)?

400

Towards the head end of the upper body, upper.

What is Superior, cranial, cephalic?

400

Away from the point of origin.

What is distal?

400

Rotating a limb away from the center and back.

What is external rotation?

400

Moving a limb that moves superiorly.

What is elevation?

500

a vertical plane that separates anterior and posterior

What is Coronal Plane (frontal plane)?

500

Opposite side.

What is contralateral?

500

Same side.

What is ipsilateral? 

500

The attachment of the muscle that does move during contraction.

What is muscle insertion?

500

Flexes the foot upward.

What is Dorsiflexion?