ANATOMICAL POSITION

Standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward, legs parallel, toes pointed forward

DECUBITUS POSITION

Lying down, specifically according to the part of the body resting on a flat surface, as in left or right lateral decubitus, or dorsal or ventral decubitus

DORSAL RECUMBENT POSITION 

On back, with legs bent and separated, feet flat

FOWLER POSITION 

On back, head of bed raised about 18 inches, knees elevated

KRASKE (JACKKNIFE) POSITION 

Prone with the buttocks raised

KNEE - CHEST POSITION

On knees, head and upper chest on table, arms crossed above head

LATERAL RECUMBENT POSITION

On the side with one leg flexed; arm position may vary

LITHOTOMY POSITION

On back, legs flexed on abdomen, things apart

PRONE

Lying face down

SIMS POSITION

On left side, right leg drawn up high and forward, left arm along back, chest forward resting on bed

SUPINE

Lying face up

TRENDELENBURG POSITION 

On back with head lowered by tilting bed back at 45º angle

FRONTAL (CORONAL) PLANE

Plane of section that separates the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions

SAGITTAL PLANE

Plane that divides the body into right and left portions 

TRANSVERSE (HORIZONTAL) PLANE

Plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions