Directional Terms

Front

superior

cranial

cephalad

rostral (when referring to animals)

Back

above, toward the head

Front

inferior

caudal (when referring to animals)

Back

below, towards lower part of body, towards the tail (when referring to animals)

Front

ventral

anterior

Back

in front of, on the front side of the body, belly side (when referring to animals)

Front

dorsal

posterior

Back

behind, on the backside of the body, spine side (when referring to animals)

Front

medial

Back

towards the midline of the body

Front

lateral

Back

away from the midline of the body

Front

intermediate

Back

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

Front

promixal

Back

close to the trunk of the body, used when referring to arms and legs

Front

distal

Back

away from the trunk of the body, used when referring to arms and legs

Front

superficial

Back

towards or at the surface of the body