Directional terms and Planes

Superior

Above or higher in position; toward the head.

Inferior

Below or lower in position; toward the feet.

Anterior

Front; toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Back; toward the back of the body.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Farther away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or center of the body.

Distal

Farther away from the point of attachment or center of the body.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Further away from the surface of the body.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right portions.

Frontal plane

Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Oblique planes

Planes that are at an angle to the standard anatomical planes; used to view structures at non-standard angles.