Directional Terms

Medical Terminology Systems : A BODY SYSTEMS APPROACH - 8th Edition Chapter 4 : Body Structure

Abduction

Movement away from the midsagittal (median) plane of the body or one of its parts

Adduction

Movement toward the midsagittal (median) plane of the body

Medial

Pertaining to the midline of the body or structure

Lateral

Pertaining to a side

Superior (cephalad)

Toward the head or upper portion of a structure

Inferior (caudal)

Away from the head, or toward the tail or lower part of a structure

Proximal

Nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body

Distal

Further from the center (trunk of the body) or from the point of attachment to the body

Anterior (ventral)

Front of the body

Posterior (dorsal)

Back of the body

Parietal

Pertaining to the outer wall of the body cavity

Visceral

Pertaining to the viscera, or internal organs, especially the abdominal organs

Prone

Lying on the abdomen, face down

Supine

Lying horizontally on the back, face up

Inversion

Turning inward or inside out

Eversion

Turning outward

Palmar

Pertaining to the palm of the hand

Plantar

Pertaining to the sole of the foot

Superficial

Toward the surface of the body (external)

Deep

Away from the surface of the body (internal)