Planes and Directions in the Human Nervous System Flashcards
Terms used to describe the location of structures in human anatomy.
Horizontal Sections
Slices of the brain that are cut in a horizontal plane, that is, cut parallel to the horizon when the subject is in an upright position.
Sagittal section
Slices of the brain that are cut in a sagittal plane, that is, cut parallel to the vertical plane that divides the brain into left and right halves.
Midsagittal section
A sagittal section that is cut from the very midline of the brain.
Coronal sections
Slices of the brain that are cut in a coronal or frontal plane, that is, cut approximately parallel to the surface of the face.
Cross sections
Sections that are cut at right angles to the long axis of any long narrow structure, for example, at right angles to the long axis of the spinal cord.
Anterior
Toward the nose end; also known as rostral.
Posterior
Toward the tail end; as caudal.
Dorsal
Toward the surface of the back or front of head.
Ventral
Toward the surface of the chest and stomach or bottom of head.
Medial
Toward midsagittal plane.
Lateral
Away from the midsagittal plane; toward the left or right.
Superior
Toward the dorsal surface of the primate head.
Inferior
Toward the ventral surface of the primate head.
Unilateral
On one side of the body.
Bilateral
On both sides of the body.
