General Terminology

Superior

Above

Inferior

Below

Anterior/ Ventral

Towards the front

Posterior/ Dorsal

Towards the back

Medial

towards the midline

Lateral

Away from midline

Cranial

Towards the head

Caudal

Towards the tail

Ipsilateral

Located or occuring on the same side of the body

contralateral

Something on the opposite side of the body

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment

Distal

farther away from the point of attachment

Anatomical Position

Body is erect, and facing forward with arms at the sides and palms facing forward

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body parallel to the midsagittal plane off to the side

Coronal plane/ Frontal Plane

Splits body into front and back

Transverse

Divides body into top & bottom

Axial Parts

Head, neck, trunk; anything in line with the center of the body.

Appendicular Parts

Arms & Legs; Attached to the body’s axis

Homeostasis

Maintain stable internal conditions, no matter what changes are occurring outside the body.