Directional Terms

proximal

used to describe a part that is closer to the trunk of the body or closer to another specified point of reference than another part

example: the hip is proximal to the knee

distal

means that a particular body part is farther from the trunk or farther from another specified point of reference than another part

example: the fingers are distal to the wrist

medial

refers to a position that is closer to the midline of the body than another part

example: the nose is medial to the eyes

lateral

refers to a position that is farther from the midline of the body than another

example: the ears are lateral to the eyes

superior

means that the body part is above another or closer to the head (cranial)

inferior

means that the body part is below another or towards the feet (caudal)

anterior

means towards the front (ventral)

example: the eyes are posterior to the brain

posterior

means toward the back (dorsal)

example: the pharynx is posterior to the oral cavity

superficial

means situated near the surface

deep

means situated away from the surface