List of anatomical lines

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

• Axillary lines
• Anatomical plane