Directional Terms

Medical Terminology

Superior

Toward the head

Inferior

Away from the head

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; Toward the side of the body

Anterior

Toward the front of the body

Posterior

Toward the back of the body

Anterior View

View from the front of the body

Posterior View

View from the back of the body

Lateral View

View from the side of the body

Ventral

Toward the front of the body

Dorsal

Toward the back of the body

Axial Body

Refers to the central part of the body, including the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Body

Refers to the limbs and their attachments to the axial body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or to a given reference point on the body.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or a given reference point on the body.

Superficial

Referring to structures located nearer to the surface of the body, as opposed to deeper structures.

Deep

Referring to structures located farther from the surface of the body, as opposed to superficial structures.