Directional terms

Front (Anterior/Ventral)

• The front side of the body.

• The back side of the body.

• Toward the head.

Back (Posterior/Dorsal):

• The back side of the body.

• Toward the head.

• The front side of the body.

Above (Superior/Cranial):

• Toward the head.

• Toward the lower part of the body (only for the head, neck, and trunk).

• Near where a limb connects to the body.

Below (Inferior/Caudal):

• Toward the lower part of the body (only for the head, neck, and trunk).

• Toward the head.

• The front side of the body.

Closer to attachment (Proximal):

• Near where a limb connects to the body.

• Away from where a limb connects to the body.

• Near the body’s center line.

Farther from attachment (Distal):

• Away from the center line.

• Near the body’s center line.

• Away from where a limb connects to the body.

Closer to the middle (Medial):

• Near the body’s center line.

• Away from the center line.

• Near the outside of the body.

Farther from the middle (Lateral)

• Away from the center line.

• Near the outside of the body.

• More inside the body.

Closer to the surface (Superficial):

• Near the outside of the body.

• More inside the body.

• Near the body’s center line.

Farther from the surface (Deep):

• More inside the body.

• Near the outside of the body.

• Near the body’s center line.