{{short description, None Brantigan 1963 1-51

Anatomical lines Anatomical terminology is a specialized system of terms used by anatomists, zoologists, and health professionals, such as Physician, doctors, surgeons, and pharmacists, to describe the structures and Function (biology), functions of the Body (bi ...

, or "reference lines," are theoretical lines drawn through anatomical structures and are used to describe anatomical location. The following reference lines are identified in ''

Terminologia Anatomica ''Terminologia Anatomica'' (commonly abbreviated TA) is the international standard for human anatomy, human anatomical terminology. It is developed by the Federative International Programme on Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT) a program of the Inter ...

'': * Anterior median line * Lateral sternal line: A vertical line corresponding to the lateral margin of the

sternum The sternum (: sternums or sterna) or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major bl ...

. *

Parasternal line The parasternal line is a vertical line on the front of the thorax. It is midway between the lateral sternal line and the mid-clavicular line {{short description, None Anatomical lines, or "reference lines," are theoretical lines drawn through ...

: A vertical line equidistant from the sternal and mid-clavicular lines. * Mid-clavicular line: A vertical line passing through the midpoint of the

clavicle The clavicle, collarbone, or keybone is a slender, S-shaped long bone approximately long that serves as a strut between the scapula, shoulder blade and the sternum (breastbone). There are two clavicles, one on each side of the body. The clavic ...

. * Mammillary line * Anterior axillary line: A vertical line on the anterior torso marked by the

anterior axillary fold The axilla (: axillae or axillas; also known as the armpit, underarm or oxter) is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and th ...

. * Midaxillary line: A vertical line passing through the apex of the

axilla The axilla (: axillae or axillas; also known as the armpit, underarm or oxter) is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm a ...

. * Posterior axillary line: A vertical line passing through the

posterior axillary fold The axilla (: axillae or axillas; also known as the armpit, underarm or oxter) is the area on the human body directly under the shoulder joint. It includes the axillary space, an anatomical space within the shoulder girdle between the arm and th ...

. *

Scapular line The scapular line, also known as the linea scapularis, is a vertical line passing through the inferior angle of the scapula. It has been used in the evaluation of brachial plexus birth palsy. References External links

* http://www.meddean.l ...

: A vertical line passing through the inferior angle of the

scapula The scapula (: scapulae or scapulas), also known as the shoulder blade, is the bone that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone). Like their connected bones, the scapulae are paired, with each scapula on either side ...

. * Paravertebral line: A vertical line corresponding to the tips of the transverse processes of the

vertebra Each vertebra (: vertebrae) is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, that make up the vertebral column or spine, of vertebrates. The proportions of the vertebrae differ according to their spina ...

e. * Posterior median line Other anatomical lines include: * Mid-pupillary line: A line running vertically down the face through the midpoint of the

pupil The pupil is a hole located in the center of the iris of the eye that allows light to strike the retina.Cassin, B. and Solomon, S. (1990) ''Dictionary of Eye Terminology''. Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company. It appears black becau ...

when looking directly forward. *

Mid-inguinal point The mid-inguinal point (MIP) is located at the middle point of an imaginary line drawn between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the pubic symphysis. The mid-inguinal point is superior to (above) the inguinal ligament, and should not to ...

: A point midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the

pubic symphysis The pubic symphysis (: symphyses) is a secondary cartilaginous joint between the left and right superior rami of the pubis of the hip bones. It is in front of and below the urinary bladder. In males, the suspensory ligament of the penis attache ...

. * Intercristal line: A transverse line passing across the lumbar spine between the superior aspects of the iliac crests. * Mid-dorsal line: The intersection between the dorsal skin and the median plane. * Mid-ventral line: The intersection between the ventral skin and the median plane.

See also