Median Plane
plane that divides the head, body, or limb longitudinally into equal left or right halves
Saggital plane
Plane that divides the head, body, or limb longitudinally into non-equal left or right halves
Transverse
Plane that cuts across the head, body, or limb at right angle to the median plane, this dividing it into cranial and caudal segments
Frontal/dorsal
Plane that runs at right angles to both the median and transverse planes by dividing the body or head into dorsal and vetral segments
Cranial
Towards or near the head
Caudal
Towads or near the tail
Dorsal
Towards or near the back or corresponding surface of the head, neck, thorax, and tail
Ventral
Towards or near the belly or corresponding surface of the head, neck, thorax, and tail
Rostral
Towards or near the nose and applies only to structures on the head
Medial
Towards or near the median plane
Lateral
Away or further from the median plane
Proximal
Closer or relatively near the body or origin
Distal
Away or further from the body or origin
Palmer
Area of the forelimb distal to the carpus referring to the back surface of the limb including the surface that contacts the group in the standing animal
Plantar
The area of the hindlimb distal to the tarsus referring to the back surface of the limb, including the surface that contacts the ground in the standing animal
Superficial
Near or relatively near the surface of the body or the surface of a solid organ
Deep
Relatively near the center of the body or the center of a solid organ
Internal
Closer to a body cavity or the center of an organ
External
Farther away from a body cavity or the center of an organ
Flexion
Folding movement that decreases the angle between two bones, thus moving the bones closer together
Extension
Movement that increases the angle between two bones, thus moving the bones further apart
Abduct
To move a limb or part away from the median plane
Adduct
To move a limb or part around its long axis
Rotation
The movement of a limb that resembles a circle
Supination
Movement of a limb so the palmer/plantar surface is rotated medially or dorsally
Pronation
Medial movement of the palmer/plantar side of the paw so that it faces ventrally