Location Terms

anterior

toward the front, ventral

posterior

toward the back, dorsal

base

supporting part of any structure

apex

pointed tip of conical structure

bilaterial

both sides

unilateral

one side

contralateral

opposite side

ipsilateral

same side

deep

farther into the body

superficial

nearer to the surface of the body

medial

toward the midline plane, near to middle

lateral

away from midsagittal plane, toward the side

proximal

nearer to axil body

distal

further from axial body

superior

toward head, above

inferior

toward feet, below

supine

lying on back

prone

lying on back

ventral

front, anterior

dorsal

back, posterior

sagittal plane

divides into left and right, not equal

midsagittal plane

equal left and right

frontal plane

front and back

transverse plane

upper and lower