Page 5 - Chapter 1 Introduction to the Human Body

Anterior Front

Posterior Back

Distal and proximal are relative terms. This is best illustrated by a
reference to the wrist. The wrist is distal to the elbow, meaning
that is farther away from the body (point of attachment)
than is the elbow. However, the wrist is proximal to the
knuckles, meaning that it is closer to the body (point of
attachment) than are the knuckles. Thus the wrist is described
as being both proximal and distal depending upon the structure to
which it is being compared. The same is true of superior/inferior.
The umbilicus is superior to the urinary bladder but inferior to the
lungs.

3. Planes and sections of the body
a. Sagittal plane: creates a right and left
b. Frontal (coronal) plane: creates a front and back
c. Transverse plane: creates a top and bottom

4. Regional terms