{{short description, None Brantigan 1963 1-51

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 ''Terminologia Anatomica'' is the international standard for human anatomical terminology. It is developed by the Federative International Programme on Anatomical Terminology, a program of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomis ...

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

sternum The sternum 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 blood vessels from injury. Sh ...

. *

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 throug ...

: 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, or collarbone, is a slender, S-shaped long bone approximately 6 inches (15 cm) long that serves as a strut between the shoulder blade and the sternum (breastbone). There are two clavicles, one on the left and one on the rig ...

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

anterior axillary fold The axilla (also, 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 the thoracic cage, bounded superior ...

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

axilla The axilla (also, 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 the thoracic cage, bounded superior ...

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

posterior axillary fold The axilla (also, 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 the thoracic cage, bounded superiorl ...

. *

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 The brachial plexus is a network () of nerves formed by the ante ...

: A vertical line passing through the inferior angle of the

scapula The scapula (plural 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 eithe ...

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

vertebra The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates,Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characteristic ...

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 black 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 ...

when looking directly forward. *

Mid-inguinal point The mid-inguinal point (MIP) is located on the inguinal ligament, halfway between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the pubic symphysis. It is not to be confused with the midpoint of the inguinal ligament itself, which is located halfway ...

: A point midway between the anterior superior

iliac spine The ilium is a bone of the pelvic girdle with four bony projections, each serving as attachment points for muscles and ligaments: * Anterior superior iliac spine * Anterior inferior iliac spine * Posterior superior iliac spine * Posterior inferior ...

and the

pubic symphysis The pubic symphysis 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 attaches to the pubic ...

. * Intercristal line: A transverse line passing across the lumbar spine between the superior aspects of the

iliac crests The crest of the ilium (or iliac crest) is the superior border of the wing of ilium and the superiolateral margin of the greater pelvis. Structure The iliac crest stretches posteriorly from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the posterior ...

. * 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