Directional terms

Dorsal

towards the top/back of animal

Ventral

toward the bottom/belly of animal

cranial

toward the head

caudal

toward the tail

rostral

toward the front of the head

Proximal

closer to the body

Distal

away from the body

Palmar

below the carpus, side towards the tail

Dorsal (Below carpus/tarsus)

towards the top of the foot

Plantar

below the tarsus, side towards the tail

Medial

closer to midline

lateral

further from midline

Superficial

closer to body surface

deep

farther from body surface

Axial

Closer to the axis of the limb (digits)

Abaxial

further from the axis of the limb (digits)

Median plane

divides the body equally into left and right sides

Sagittal plane

parallel to the median plane

Transverse plane

divides the body into cranial and caudal (or proximal and distal for limbs)

Horizontal plane

divides the body into dorsal and ventral

Prone

positioned so the dorsal side is on top

Supine

positioned so the ventral side is on top