Directional Terms, Body Cavities, and Body Planes

Superior means...?

• toward the front (or toward the belly)

• above (or toward the head)

• toward the midline

• toward or on the surface

Inferior means...?

• toward the rear (or toward the back)

• farther from the trunk or origin

• 
  away from the surface

• below (or toward the feet)

Distal means...?

• farther from the trunk or origin

• closer to the trunk or origin

• away from the surface

• toward the midline

Proximal means...?

• closer to the trunk or origin

• above (or toward the head)

• 
  toward the side

• toward the front (or toward the belly)

Superficial means...?

• toward the front (or toward the belly)

• farther from the trunk or origin

• toward or on the surface

• away from the surface

Deep (internal) means...?

• farther from the trunk or origin

• none of the above

• toward the rear (or toward the back)

• away from the surface

Anterior (ventral) means...?

• closer to the trunk or origin

• toward the front (or toward the belly)

• toward the rear (or toward the back)

• below (or toward the feet)

Posterior (dorsal) means...?

• 
  away from the surface

• toward the rear (or toward the back)

• 
  toward the side

• 
  above (or toward the head)

Medial means...?

• 
  below (or toward the feet)

• closer to the trunk or origin

• toward the midline

• toward the side

Lateral means...?

• farther from the trunk or origin

• away from the surface

• toward the side

• 
  toward the rear (or toward the back)