Human Body Systems Anatomical Directions\Postions\Actions

Anterior

front of the body

Posterior

back of the body

Superior

above (two different body parts)

Inferior

below (two different body parts)

Medial

closer to the midline (line of symmetry)

Lateral

further away from the midline

Proximal

closer to the torso/trunk (same body part)

Distal

farther away from the trunk/torso (same body part)

Superficial

closer to the surface

Deep

farther away from the surface

Ventral

front of a specific body part

Dorsal

back side of a specific body part (can also mean top)

Supine

Facing up

Prone

Facing down

Plantar

The sole/bottom of the foot

Palmar

Palm of your hand

Frontal

forehead

Cranial

skull

Orbital

eye

Buccal

cheek

Otic

ear

Nasal

nose

Oral

mouth

Mental

chin

Cervical

neck

Acromial

shoulder

Brachial

upper arm

Antecubital

the front of the elbow

Antebrachial

forearm

Carpal

wrist

Digital/phalangeal

fingers/toes

Thoracic

chest

Mammillary

breast

Axillary

armpit

Abdominal

abdomen

Umbilical

naval (belly button)

Coxal

hip

Pelvic

pelvis

Inguinal

groin

Pubic

pubis

Femoral

thigh

Patella

knee cap

Crural

lower leg

Tarsal

ankle

Pedal

foot

Cephalic

head

Lumbar

loin

Sacral

sacrum

Cubital

elbow

Gluteus

buttock

Femur

thigh

Popliteal

back of knee

Sural

calf

calcaneal

heel