Directional Terms

Away from the head or toward the lower part of the body?

• Inferior

• proximal

• Fundamental Position

• Posterior

Away from the midline of the body

• Center of Gravity

• Medial

• Lateral

• superficial

Between a more medial and more lateral structure

• Anterior

• Fundamental

• Transverse plane

• Intermediate

Closer to the origin of the body part of point or attachment

• Inferior

• Distal

• Proximal

• Medial

Divides the body into right and left halves

• Frontal Plane
• Sagittal Plane
• Transverse Plane
• Coronal Plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions

• Coronal Plane
• Sagittal Plane
• Transverse Plane
• Frontal Plane

Divides the body into upper and lower halves

• Transverse Plane
• Sagittal Plane
• Coronal Plane
• Frontal Plane

Farther away from the origin of a body part or point of attachment

• Distal
• Proximal
• Medial
• Lateral

feet shoulder width apart, palms at sides

• Medial

• Fundamental position

• Posterior

• Center of Gravity

Feet shoulder width apart, palms facing outward

• Posterior

• Fundamental Position

• Anatomical Position

• Superficial