Anatomical Directional and Regional Terms for Human Body

Anterior

Front of the body

Posterior

Back of the body

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal

Distal

Farther from the point of origin (usually of a limb)

Proximal

Closer to the point of origin

Ventral

Belly side (same as anterior in humans)

Dorsal

Back side (same as posterior in humans)

Inferior

Below or lower in position

Superior

Above or higher in position

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Abdominal

Abdomen area

Antecubital

Front of the elbow

Axillary

Armpit

Brachial

Arm

Buccal

Cheek

Calcaneal

Heel

Carpal

Wrist

Cephalic

Head

Cervical

Neck

Coxal

Hip

Digital

Fingers or toes

Femoral

Thigh

Gluteal

Buttock

Inguinal

Groin

Lumbar

Lower back

Nasal

Nose

Occipital

Back of the head

Olecranal

Back of the elbow

Oral

Mouth

Orbital

Eye socket

Patellar

Front of the knee

Pelvic

Pelvis area

Popliteal

Back of the knee

Sacral

Area between the hips at the base of the spine

Scapular

Shoulder blade region

Sternal

Breastbone

Tarsal

Ankle

Thoracic

Chest

Umbilical

Navel (belly button)

Vertebral

Spine