Anatomy & Physiology - Directional Terms

Anatomical Position

The standard initial position - the body is standing, with fee and pams facing forward

Superior

Toward the head, above

Inferior

away from the head, below

Anterior (ventral)

front of the body

Posterior (dorsal)

back of the body

Medial

midline of the body

Lateral

away from the midline

Intermediate

between a medial and lateral structure

Proximal

close to the point of attachment to the body trunk (arms and legs)

Distal

farther from the point of attachment to the body trunk

Superficial

toward the body surface

Deep

away from the body surface

Saggital

a cut along the length of the body, dividing it into right and left portions

Frontal (coronal) section

a cut that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions

Transverse section

a cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.