Directional Terms

Back of the body

• ventral

• lateral

• medial

• dorsal

away from the midline

• distal

• lateral

• proximal

• medial

closest to the point of attachment

• medial

• lateral

• proximal

• distal

closer to the skull / above

• superior

• anterior

• inferior

• posterior

front of the body

• superior

• ventral

• inferior

• dorsal

away from the surface of the body

• lateral

• superficial

• deep

• medial

closer to the midline

• medial

• lateral

• superior

• inferior

further from the point of attachment

• superficial

• deep

• distal

• proximal

toward the feet / below

• superior

• inferior

• cranial

• deep

closer to the surface of the body

• medial

• lateral

• superficial

• deep