anatomical directions and cardinal planes

Superior

Toward the head; above another structure (the chest is superior to the abdomen)

Inferior

Away from the head; below another structure (the knee is inferior to the hip)

Anterior

Toward the front of the body (the sternum is anterior to the heart)

Posterior

Toward the back of the body (the spine is posterior to the stomach)

Medial

Toward the midline of the body (the nose is medial to the eyes)

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body (the ears are lateral to the eyes)

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or trunk (the elbow is proximal to the wrist)

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or trunk (the fingers are distal to the wrist)

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body (skin is superficial to muscle)

Deep

Farther from the surface of the body (bone is deep to muscle)

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into left and right sections (bicep curl: elbow flexion/extension)

Frontal plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into front and back sections (jumping jack: arm/leg abduction/adduction)

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane that divides the body into top and bottom sections (twisting your torso to look behind you: rotation)