Language of Anatomy

Anterior

Toward the front of the body. Example: The Stemum is anterior to the heart.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Inferior

Below another structure or toward the feet. Example: The pancreas is inferior to the Stomach.

Superior

Above another structure or toward the head. Example: The lung is Superior to the liver.

Medial

Toward the middle or center of the body.

Lateral

A position farther away from the center of the body.

Distal

Farther away from the point of attachment. Example: The hands are distal from the shoulders.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment. Example: The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of a body. Example: The Skin is superficial to the muscles.

Deep

Further away from the surface of the body (deeper)

Ventral

Toward the front or belly of the body.

Dorsal

the backside of the body.

Abdominal

Stomach/ belly area

Antecubital

Front of the elbow

Axillary

armpit area

Brachial

upper arm

Buccal

cheek

Calcaneal

heel

Carpal

wrist

Cephalic

head

Cervical

neck

Coxal

hip

Digital

fingers and toes

Femoral

thigh

Gluteal

buttox

Inguinal

upper, inner thigh meets abdominal area

Lumbar

lower back

Nasal

The nose area on the center of the face.

Occipital

Back part of the head and lower skull.

Olecranal

the back area of the elbow.

Oral

The mouth.

Orbital

The eye area and eye socket.

Patellar

The front area/part of the knee.

Pelvic

Lower part between the abdomen and the thighs

Popliteal

Area at the back of the knee

Sacral

The lower back in between the pelvis area (tailbone area)

Scapular

The shoulder blade, upper back.

Sternal

The center area of the chest near the sternum

Tarsal

ankle area on the feet.

Thoracic

Chest area of the body between the neck and abdomen

Umbilical

central section of the abdomen

Vertebral

The spinal column or backbone. Head to tailbone.