Body positions and orientations

Terminology used when palpating the body

Anterior

in front

posterior

behind

medial

towards midline

lateral

away from midline

proximal

closer to attachment point

distal

further from attachment point

superior

towards head

inferior

away from head

cranial

towards head

caudal

towards tail

internal

away from body surface

erect

standing position

supine

lying on back

prone

lying on stomach

sideling

lying on side

ventral

towards front

dorsal

towards back

superficial

towards body surface

deep

away from body surface

intermediate

between a more medial and more lateral aspect

ipsilateral

same side of body

contralateral

opposite side of body

peripheral

towards body surface

longitudinal

vertically along the body

transverse

horizontally across the body

sagittal

towards the sagittal plane

coronal

towards the coronal plane

frontal

towards the frontal plane

palmer

on or towards the palm

plantar

on or towards the sole

dorsal (hand/foot)

on or towards the back of hand/foot