Anatomical Directions

means toward the head, above, or top

• Superior

• Superficial

• Inferior

• Anterior

means away from the head, below, or bottom

• Posterior

• Inferior

• Superior

• Distal

Means toward the face or toward the front

• Anterior

• Superficial

• Proximal

• Lateral

means away from the face or toward the backside

• Anterior

• Superior

• Posterior

• Proximal

toward the midline of the body

• Medial

• Intermediate

• Anterior

• Lateral

means away from the midline of the body

• Intermediate

• Lateral

• Distal

• Medial

between medial and lateral

• Medial

• Distal

• Posterior

• Intermediate

closer to the point of origination or point of attachment of a limb

• Distal

• Proximal

• Deep

• Superficial

farther from origination or from the point of attachment of a limb

• Deep

• Inferior

• Proximal

• Distal

Plane which passes down the midline of the body, separating it into two halves (left and right)

• Median

• Sagittal

• Coronal

• Transverse