Anatomical terminology

superior

Above

Inferior

below

anterior

front

posterior

back

Medial

Closer to the midline (center)

lateral

Farther from the midline

bilateral

paired structure (the lungs)

ipsilateral

same side

contralateral

opposite sides

proximal

closer to trunk

distal

farther from trunk

superficial

closer to the surface

deep

farther from the surface

Sagittal

divides into left and right portions

median

equally cut down the middle

parasagittal

unequally cut down the middle

transverse

horizontal cut dividing the body into top and bottom

frontal

Cut dividing the body into front and back

cross section

a 90 degree cut across

Oblique section

an angled cut across

Longitudinal section

a cut made the long way