Directional Terms

toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

• inferior

• superior

• distal

• proximal

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

• inferior

• superior

• ventral

• dorsal

toward or at the front of the body; in front of

• superior

• ventral

• lateral

• dorsal

what is another name for ventral

• dorsal

• posterior

• anterior

• cuadal

toward or at the backside of the body; behind

• superior

• inferior

• ventral

• dorsal

another name for dorsal

• ventral

• posterior

• anterior

• caudal

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

• ventral

• medial

• dorsal

• lateral

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

• ventral

• medial

• dorsal

• lateral

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

• medial

• intermediate

• lateral

• superior

close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

• medial

• lateral

• proximal

• distal