TOOLS & TERMINOLOGY 

1. TRANSVERSE PLANE​: 

Cuts specimen into 

a TOP and BOTTOM 

2. FRONTAL PLANE​: Cuts 

specimen into a 

FRONT and BACK  

3. SAGITTAL PLANE​: 

Cuts specimen into 

LEFT and RIGHT 

 DIRECTIONAL TERMINOLOGY 
DISTAL & PROXIMAL 

- DISTAL​: ​situated away from the center of the 

body or from the point of attachment. 

- PROXIMAL​: situated nearer to the center of the 

body or the point of attachment 

LATERAL & MEDIAL 

- LATERAL​: ​ the side of the body or a body part 

that is farther from the middle or center of 

the body 

- MEDIAL​: ​Pertaining to the middle; in or toward 

the middle; nearer the middle of the body 

 
ANTERIOR & POSTERIOR 

- ANTERIOR​: ​relating to or situated near or 

toward the head 

- POSTERIOR​: f
​ urther back in position; of or 

nearer the rear or hind end, especially of the 

body or a part of it 

SUPERIOR & INFERIOR 

- SUPERIOR​: ​is used to refer to what is above 

something 

- INFERIOR​:​ below or toward the feet 

 
SUPERFICIAL & DEEP 

- SUPERFICIAL​: ​ on the surface or shallow 

- DEEP​: ​away from the surface or further into 

the body 

PLANTAR & DORSAL 

- PLANTAR​: ​relating to the sole of the foot 

- DORSAL​: ​of, on, or relating to the upper side or 

back of an animal 
 DISSECTION TOOLS 
 
DISSECTION NEEDLES: 

- Can be bent or straight 

- Used for separation  

- Used for detail work 

DISSECTING PAN: 

- Used to hold specimen 

- Mat is cushioned--will take pins and 

protects from damaging sharp 

blades. 

FORCEPS: 

- Used to hold, manipulate smaller 

parts of the specimen. 

- Can be used in place of your fingers 

SCALPEL: 

- Sharpest tool 

- Surgical “10-blade” 

- Used to make incisions. 

DISSECTION PINS: 

- Used to hold specimen in place 

DISSECTION SCISSORS: 

- Has a blunt end and a sharp end 

- Used for cutting through tissues 

- Used to remove large body parts 

- Can be used to break bone