terms for Body position chapter 2

Superior or Cephalic

More toward the head or above another structure.

Inferior or Caudal

More toward the feet or tail, or below another structure.

Anterior or Ventral

More toward the belly or front side of the body.

Posterior or Dorsal

More towards the back of the body or the spinal cord.

Medial

Referring towards the middle or near middle of the body.

Lateral

Pertaining to the side.

Proximal

Located nearer to the point of attachment to the body.

Distal

Located farther away from the point of attachment to the body.

Apex

Tip or summit of an organ.

Base

Bottom or lower part of an organ.

Superficial

More towards the surface of the body.

Deep

Further away from the surface of the body.

Supine

The body lying horizontal and facing upward.

Prone

The body laying horizontally and facing downward.