anatomical directions

anterior

in front of; toward surface - ex: stomach is anterior to spinal cord

posterior

in back of; toward back surface - ex: heart is posterior to sternum

dorsal

toward back side of human body - ex: spinal cord is on dorsal side of body

ventral

toward belly side of human body - ex: umbilicus (belly button) is on ventral side of body

superior

closer to the head - ex: chest is superior to pelvis

inferior

closer to the feet - ex: stomach is inferior to heart

cranial (cephalic)

at the head end - ex: the shoulders are cranial to the feetc

caudal

at rear or tail end - ex: the abdomen is caudal to the head

rostral

toward the nose or mouth - ex: frontal lobe is rostral to the occipital lobe

medial

toward midline of body - ex: lungs are medial to shoulders

lateral

away from midline of body - ex: arms are lateral to heart

ipsilateral

on same side - ex: right arm is ipsilateral to right leg

contralateral

on opposite side - ex: right arm is contralateral to left leg

deep

on inside, internal to another structure - ex: heart is deep to the rib cage

superficial

on outside, external to another structure - ex: skin is superficial to biceps brachii muscle

proximal

closest to point of attachment to trunk - ex: elbow is proximal to hand

distal

furthest from point of attachment to trunk - ex: wrist is distal to elbow