Directional Terms

Superior

A body part is above and the part

Anterior (ventral)

Means toward the front

Proximal

Describes a body part that is closer to a point of attachment to the trunk than another body part is

Superficial

Near the surface

Lateral

Toward the side, away from midline

Supine

Contralateral

Refers to structures on the opposite side

Intermediate

Inferior

Means that a body part is above another part

Posterior

Means toward the back

Distal

Means that a body part is farther from a point of attachment to the trunk than another body part is

Deep

Describes parts that are more internal than superficial parts

Medial

Refers to an imaginary midline dividing the body into equal right and left halves

Parietal

Refers to a membrane attained to the wall of a cavity

Ipsilateral

Refers to structures on the same side

Visceral

Refers to a membrane that is deeper -toward the interior - and covers an internal organ