Know all directional terms and how to use them

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head or upper part of a structure (e.g., the head is superior to the chest).

Inferior (Caudal)

Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure (e.g., the stomach is inferior to the heart).

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body (e.g., the chest is anterior to the spine).

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body (e.g., the spine is posterior to the stomach).

Medial

Toward the midline of the body (e.g., the heart is medial to the lungs).

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body (e.g., the arms are lateral to the chest).

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk (e.g., the shoulder is proximal to the hand).

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk (e.g., the hand is distal to the elbow).

Superficial

Toward or at the surface of the body (e.g., the skin is superficial to the muscles).

Deep

Away from the surface, more internal (e.g., the bones are deep to the skin).