Directional Terms

Dorsal

Pertaining to the back;

Closer to the back;

Away from the ground

Ventral

Pertaining to the belly;

Closer to the belly;

Towards the ground

Cranial

Pertaining to the head;

Closer to the head

Caudal

Pertaining to the tail;

Closer to the tail

Medial

Pertaining to the middle;

Closer to the median plane;

Closer to the midline

Lateral

Pertaining to the side;

Further from the median plane;

Further from the midline

Proximal

Pertaining to the beginning;

Nearer the point of attachment

Distal

Pertaining to far from the beginning;

Farther from the point of point of attachment

Dorsal plane

Divides the body into a belly side (ventral) and a back side (dorsal)

Median plane

Divides the body into equal right and left halves.

This is also known as a midsagittal plane

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into unequal right and left halves

Transverse plane

Divides the body into cranial and caudal halves