Anatomical Terminology: Key Concepts for Human Body Orientation

anatomical position

The anatomical position is a standardized reference position where the human body stands upright, eyes facing forward, feet parallel and close together, and arms at the sides with palms facing forward. It is the neutral position from which limb segment movements are defined.

medial

refers to a location or position toward the midline of the body.

lateral

refers to a location or position farther from the midline of the body.

anterior

refers to the front of the body or closer to the front.

posterior

refers to the back of the body or closer to the back.

ventral

is a synonym of anterior (toward the front).

dorsal

is a synonym of posterior (toward the back).

distal

means away from the trunk.

proximal

means toward the trunk.

superior

means a location above another structure.

inferior

means a location below another structure.

caudal

refers to a position or structure closer to the feet or tail.

cranial

refers to a structure or position closer to the head.

superficial

refers to being closer to the surface of the body.

deep

refers to being farther away from the body surface.

supine

means lying horizontally with the anterior surface of the body facing upward.

prone

means lying horizontally with the anterior surface of the body facing downward.

bilateral

refers to two, or both, sides of the body.

contralateral

refers to the opposite side of the body.

ipsilateral

refers to the same side of the body.