Anatomical Positions and Directions

Anterior or ventral

refers to the front side; in humans this side includes our eyes and navel.

Posterior

Refers to the back side of the body in humans

Dorsal

Contains the brain; surrounded and protected by the cranium (skull)

Proximal

means closer to an attachment point; the wrist is proximal to the fingers

Superior or cranial

means above; the neck is superior to the chest

Inferior or caudal

means below; the knee is inferior to the hip.

Medial

means closer to the body’s midline; the mouth is medial to the ears

Lateral

means farther away from the body’s midline; the ears are lateral to the nose.

Superficial

means closer to the surface; skin is superficial to bone.

Deep

means farther from the surface; muscles are deep to the skin

Abduction

is movement away from the body’s midline; picture raising your arm to turn on a light.

Flexion

is movement that decreases the standard angle between two structures

Extension

is movement that increases the standard angle between two structures; picture straightening your knee to stand back up.