List of anatomical lines

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Anatomical "lines", 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:

  • Anterior median line
  • Lateral sternal line: A vertical line corresponding to the lateral margin of the sternum.
  • Parasternal line: A vertical line equidistant from the sternal and mid-clavicular lines.
  • Mid-clavicular line: A vertical line passing through the midpoint of the clavicle.
  • Mammillary line
  • Anterior axillary line: A vertical line on the anterior torso marked by the anterior axillary fold.
  • Midaxillary line: A vertical line passing through the apex of the axilla.
  • Posterior axillary line: A vertical line passing through the posterior axillary fold.
  • Scapular line: A vertical line passing through the inferior angle of the scapula.
  • Paravertebral line: A vertical line corresponding to the tips of the transverse processes of the vertebrae.
  • Posterior median line
Axillary lines.
Vertical lines: Midline, lateral sternal line, parasternal line and midclavicular line. Horizontal lines: Level of the sternal angle, and zipho-sternal line.

Other anatomical lines include:

  • Mid-pupillary line: A line running vertically down the face through the midpoint of the pupil when looking directly forward.
  • Mid-inguinal point: A point midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic symphysis.
  • 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

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