Directional Terms - ASCI 229 Anatomy and Phys

dorsal

upwards towards the back

ventral

towards the abdomen

cranial

towards the head

caudal

towards the tail

medial

towards midline

lateral

towards the side

superficial

closer to the surface

deep

more internal

rostral

towards the nose

caudal (on head)

closer to tail

distal

closer to free end of appendage

proximal

closer to point of attachment

dorsal or palmar

limbs; distal to the carpus

dorsal or plantar

limbs; distal to the hock (what set of legs?)

superior

towards the head

inferior

towards the feet

anterior

towards the belly

posterior

towards the back

sagittal plane

a plane that divides the body into left and right halves

transverse plane

a plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions

dorsal plane

vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections