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