Anatomical Posi tion: Th e st and ard body p osit ion i s use d to de scrib e anatomical directional terms, body planes
and sections, and an atomy defini tions .
Midline:
Is an imagina ry vertic al line down the middle o f the body, and it divide s th e body into e qual right and le ft •
sections.
Midline = Middle •
The midline will be our re ference point whe n descr ibi ng medial and lateral . •
Medi al vs. Lateral:
Medi al:
If we move toward th e midline of the bo dy, the n we are mo ving me dia l. •
Therefore, me dia l is define as “the middle or toward t he midline or middle of th e bo dy”. •
In othe r words, we are moving aways f rom the sides and to ward the midline. •
Medi al is easy to remember, simple use the le tter “M” to think of “Media l”, Midline”, and “Midd le”. •
Examp les: •
The no se is me dial to t he eyes, as the nose is more t oward the midline c ompared to th e eye s. 1.
Torso is medial t o the arms. 2.
Heart is medi al to the lungs 3.
Latera l:
If we move away from the midline of the body, the n we are movi ng lateral. •
Therefore, lateral is defined as “the side or toward th e side of the bod y”. •
In othe r words, we are moving away f rom the midline and toward the side s. •
Latera l can be remembe red by thinking of your “Lats”, which are th e back musc le that s tretch to the sides. •
Examp les: •
The eyes are late ral to th e nose, as the e yes are more t oward the side of the b ody compare d to t he no se . 1.
Arms are latera l to the Torso. 2.
Lungs are l ateral t o the he art. 3.
