Chapter 1 Terms of Position & Direction

Outer part of the body

• External

• Prone

• Lateral

• Superior

Toward the head

• Cephalic

• External

• Prone

• Distal

Lying facedown with the palms facing downward

• Prone

• Lateral

• Superior

• Anterior

Toward the side of the body

• Lateral

• Superior

• Anterior

• Caudal

Body part located above; closer to the head

• Superior

• Anterior

• Caudal

• Ventral

Front of the body; ventral

• Anterior

• Caudal

• Ventral

• Medial

Toward the tailbone

• Caudal

• Ventral

• Medial

• Distal

Front of the body; anterior

• Ventral

• Medial

• Distal

• Supine

Toward the midline of the body

• Medial

• Distal

• Supine

• Cephalic

Away from the point of origin

• Distal

• Supine

• Cephalic

• Proximal