Review of few Important Anatomical Terms

Anatomical position: When a person is standing straight with eyes looking forwards, both arms
by the side of body, palms facing forwards, both feet together, the position is anatomical
position (Fig.1.7).
• Supine position: When a person is lying on her/his back, arms by the side, palms facing
upwards and feet put together, the position is supine position (Fig. 1.8).
• Prone position: Person lying on his/her face, chest and abdomen is said to be in prone
position
Planes in body
Median plane:
Transverse plane:
Saggital plane:
Mid saggital plane:
Para saggital plane:
Medial and lateral are terms used to describe positions relative to the midline of the body. For
example, a structure located closer to the midline than another structure is described as being
medial to it or, if farther away, lateral to it.
Mesial and Distal are terms that relate to tooth locations that are described from the median
plane. Thus, canine teeth are mesial to premolar teeth, whereas molar teeth are distal to
premolar teeth.
Mesial: Front from any reference point
Distal: Back from any reference point