Anatomical position

• On the front of the body

• Supine with palms down

• Body facing forward, standing erect, feet parallel, holding arms at side with palms up

• Facing backwards, standing erect, feet spread, palms to side of body

Anterior

• On the front of the body

• Above another part of the body

• On the back of the body

• Toward the feet

Ventral

• On the back of the body

• Away from the middle

• Toward the middle

• On the front of the body

Cranial

• The cavity that houses the spine

• Refers to the head

• Bottom or tail

• The upper neck

Superior

• Towards the back or bottom

• Refers to the upper section. Above lower parts

• Below higher parts

• Beneath the surface

Medial

• Refers to the middle. towards the middle

• Below higher parts

• Moving away from the middle

• On the surface

Proximal

• Farthest from the body

• Moving away from the middle

• Refers to nearest to the point of reference. Closest to the point where the limb originates.

• Above the middle

Superficial

• Deep below the surface

• Splits the body in to front and bak

• Splits the body in to top and bottom

• On or near the surface

Posterior

• On the back of the body

• On the front of the body

• Towards the feet

• Refers to the tail or tailbone

Dorsal

• On the front of the body

• On the back of the body

• Towards the middle

• Away from the middle