Directional terms and planes of the body

Front

Superficial

Back

Toward the body surface.

Front

The body

Back

The trunk is a term used to refer to the main part of the body excluding the limbs.

Front

Deep

Back

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Front

Lateral

Back

Away from the midline of the body.

Front

Proximal

Back

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of the limb to the body.

Front

Inferior

Back

Below or lower than another part of the body.

Front

Medial

Back

Closer to the midline of the body.

Front

Distal

Back

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb.

Front

Frontal Plane

Back

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Front

Sagittal Plane

Back

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts.