Anatomical Terms

Terms of body parts, imaginary planes along which cuts may be made, and body regions

INFERIOR

Towards the feet; below

SUPERIOR

Closer to the head; above

POSTERIOR

Toward the back of the body

ANTERIOR

Toward the front of the body

MEDIAL

Closer to the midline that divides the body into right and left halves

LATERAL 

Further away from the midline and more toward the side of the body

PROXIMAL

Closer to the trunk or to another specified point of reference

DISTAL

Farther away from trunk or to another specified point of reference

SUPERFICIAL

Closer to the surface of body

DEEP 

Parts that are more internal and farther from the surface of the body

TRANSVERSE PLANE

Horizontal; Divides body into upper and lower sections

SAGITTAL PLANE

Divides body into left and right sections

CORONAL/FRONTAL PLANE

Divides body into anterior and posterior sections