Basics of Anatomy: Directional References & Anatomical Descriptors

Anatomical Position

Body upright: The body is standing erect with the feet together or slightly apart. 

Facing forward: The head and eyes are directed straight ahead. 

Arms at sides: The arms are extended downward at the sides of the body with the palms facing forward. 

Legs straight: The legs are parallel and the feet are flat on the ground

Supine Position

human body lies face up

Prone Position

human body lies face down

Anterior/Ventral View

front of the body

Posterior/Dorsal View

back of the body

Superior

closer to head

Inferior

closer to feet

Medial

closer to midline of body

Lateral

farther from midline of body

Proximal

closer to root of limb

Distal

farther from root of limb

Unilateral

one side of the body

Bilateral

both sides of the body

Diffuse

spread across large area

Focal

localized in one small area

Deep

closer to core of body

Superficial

closer to surface of body