Medical terminology; Anatomical Positions

Anterior (or ventral)

describes the front or direction toward the front of the body. The toes are anterior to the foot.

Posterior (or dorsal)

describes the back or direction toward the back of the body. The popliteus is posterior to the patella.

Superior (or cranial)

describes a position above or higher than another part of the body proper. The orbits are superior to the oris.

Inferior (or caudal)

describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans

Lateral

describes the side or direction toward the side of the body. The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the digits.

Medial

describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body. The hallux is the medial toe.

Proximal

describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The brachium is proximal to the antebrachium.

Distal

describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The crus is distal to the femur.

Superficial

describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the bones.

Deep

describes a position farther from the surface of the body. The brain is deep to the skul

sagittal plane

the plane that divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides. If this vertical plane runs directly down the middle of the body

frontal plane

the plane that divides the body or an organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion. The frontal plane is often referred to as a coronal plane. (“Corona” is Latin for “crown.”)

transverse plane

the plane that divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions. Transverse planes produce images referred to as cross sections

Prone

lying on the abdomen, facing downward

Supine

lying on the back, facing upwards

dorsal cavity

the posterior body cavity that houses the cranial and spinal cavity