Anatomical Direction and Body Planes

Lateral refers to a position that is towards the side of the body, away from the midline.

Superficial means closer to the surface of the body, as in the skin being superficial to the bones.

Anterior refers to a position that is towards the front of the body.

Superior means a position that is above or higher than another part of the body.

The hips are inferior to the chest.

Medial refers to a position that is closer to the midline of the body.

Distal refers to a position that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Posterior refers to a position that is towards the back of the body.

Body planes are imaginary lines that divide the body into sections, helping to describe locations and movements.

The three main body planes are the sagittal plane, frontal (coronal) plane, and transverse (horizontal) plane.