Relative Anatomical Terms

anterior

toward the front

posterior

toward the back

central

the main part

peripheral

extending from the main part

proximal

closer to the origin of the body part

distal

Farther from the origin of a body part

medial

towards the midline

lateral

away from the midline

superior

above

inferior

below

dorsal

toward the back opposite of the belly

Ventral

Toward the belly or front

deep

within, or interior to

superficial

toward the surface

external

outside, or exterior to

interior

inside or interior to

parietal

pertaining to the wall of a cavity

visceral

pertaining to the organs within a cavity

anatomical position

erect, feet forward, arms at side with palms facing forward, head facing forward

midline

An imaginary line drawn down the center of the body, dividing it into right and left halves.

bilateral

Paired structures, one on each side

ipsilateral

structures on the same side of the body

contralateral

structures on the opposite side of the body