Physiology: Directional Terms

Anterior (ventral)

Nearer to or at the front of the body.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body from another structure.

Deep (internal)

Away from the surface of the body.

Distal

Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk; farther from the origination of a structure.

Frontal

A plane/cut at a right angle to a midsagittal plane that divides the body or organs into anterior and posterior portions (aka a coronal plane).

Inferior (caudal)

Away from the head, or the lower part of a structure.

Intermediate

Between two structures.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body as another structure.

Lateral

Farther from the midline.

Medial

Nearer to the midline (an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into equal right and left sides).

Midsagittal (median plane)

 A plane that passes through the midline of the body or an organ and divides it into equal right and left sides.

Oblique

A plane that passes through the body or organ at an oblique angle (any angle other than a 90 degree angle).

Parasagittal

A plane that does not pass through the midline but instead divides the body or an organ into unequal right and left sides.

Posterior (dorsal)

Nearer to or at the back of the body.

Proximal

Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk; nearer to the origination of a structure.

Sagittal

A vertical plane that divides the body or an organ into right and left sides.

Superficial (external)

Toward or on the surface of the body.

Superior (cephalic or cranial)

Toward the head, or the upper part of a structure.

Transverse/Horizontal

A plane that divides the body or an organ into superior and inferior portions.