Anatomy: directional terms

Superior (cranial or cephalad)

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

Inferior (caudal)

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of the structure or the body; below

Anterior (ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward or at the backside of the body; behind

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

Intermediate

Between a more medial and more lateral structure

Proximal

Close to the origin of the body part

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface

Deep

Away from the body surface