11 Directional Terms

Superior (cranial)

upper

inferior (caudal)

lower

anterior (ventral)

front or forward

posterior (dorsal)

back or toward the rear

Superficial (external)

closer to the surface of the body

deep (internal)

farther away from the surface of the body

medial

middle

lateral

toward the side of the body, away from the midline

Proximal

closer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

distal

farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

intermedial

located between two structures, particularly in relation to medial and lateral.

Superior, aka

crainal

inferior, aka

caudal

Superfical, aka

external

deep, aka

internal

posterior, aka

dorsal

anterior, aka

ventral