Principles-Directional Terms/Root Words

describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper.

• Anterior

• Posterior

• Superior

• Inferior

describes a position closer to the surface of the body.

• Distal

• Medial

• Lateral

• Superficial

It describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

• Inferior

• Proximal

• Superior

• Anterior

It describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.

• Medial

• Lateral

• Anterior

• Superior

Describes the back or direction toward the back of the body.

• Posterior

• Anterior

• Superior

• Inferior

It describes a position below or lower than another part of the body

• Superior

• Anterior

• Inferior

• posterior

It describes the side or direction toward the side of the body.

• Medial

• Superficial

• Lateral

• Deep

It describes a position farther from the surface of the body

• Superficial

• Deep

• Proximal

• Distal

My lungs are ______________ to my small intestine.

• posterior

• anterior

• inferior

• superior

The heart is ________ to the ribs.

• medial
• lateral
• superior
• deep