Planes and direction words let you describe exactly where a structure lies or where a scan cuts. Position names tell the team how a patient is lying.
The three planes
The sagittal plane divides the body into right and left. The coronal (frontal) plane divides front from back, and the transverse (axial) plane divides top from bottom, as in most CT slices.
Paired directions
Superior means toward the head and inferior toward the feet. Anterior is front, posterior is back, medial is toward the midline and lateral is away from it.
Limb and depth directions
Proximal means closer to where a limb attaches to the trunk, and distal means farther away. Superficial is near the surface, and deep is farther in.
Patient positions
Supine is lying on the back, prone is face down and lateral is on the side. Fowler's position raises the head of the bed, and Trendelenburg tilts the head lower than the feet.
| Position | How the patient lies | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Supine | On the back | Abdominal exam, CPR |
| Prone | Face down | Back exam, some ventilated patients |
| Recovery (lateral) | On the side | Protecting the airway of a drowsy patient |
| Fowler's | Sitting up, head of bed raised | Breathing difficulty, eating |
| Trendelenburg | Head lower than feet | Some procedures, such as a central line in the neck |
At the bedside
Positioning is a treatment: sit a breathless patient up and roll an unresponsive patient who is breathing onto the side. After any splint or cast, check the distal pulse, color and sensation.
Related guides
Written by Making Synapses. Topic reference: OpenStax, Anatomy and Physiology 2e (no text adapted).