NOCTI Review Directional Terms l HRT

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Distal

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Ventral

Toward the front of the body

Dorsal

toward the back

Anterior

front of the body

Posterior

toward the back

Medial

toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Superior

Higher on the body, nearer to the head

Inferior

Lower on the body, farther from the head

Visceral

pertaining to the internal organs

Parietal

pertaining to the wall of a body cavity

Superficial (external)

toward or on the surface of the body

Deep (Internal)

Away from the body surface; more internal