Anatomical Directional Terms

toward the feet

• inferior

• superior

• midline

• lateral

back side of body

• inferior

• midline

• distal

• posterior

toward midline

• medial

• lateral

• inferior

• superior

line symmetry that divided body in half R/L

• midline

• flexion

• medial

• proximal

toward the head

• medial

• anterior

• superior

• anatomical position

close, toward trunk/origination point

• proximal

• anterior

• posterior

• medial

away from midline

• proximal

• midline

• lateral

• inferior

front side of body

• lateral

• proximal

• superior

• anterior

far, away from trunk/origination point

• distal

• inferior

• superior

• anterior

describes a position closer to the surface of the body.

• Distal

• Medial

• Lateral

• Superficial