Anatomical Directional Terms

Superior

A structure above another (the chin is superior to the navel)

Inferior

A structure below another (navel is inferior to the chin)

Cephalic

Closer to the head than another (the chin is cephalic to the navel)

Caudal

Closer to the tail than another (the navel is caudal to the chin)

Anterior

The front of the body

Posterior

The back of the body

Ventral

Towards the belly (synonymous with anterior)

Dorsal

Towards the back (synonymous with posterior)

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment to the body than another structure (the elbow is proximal to the wrist)

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment to the body than another structure (the wrist is distal to the elbow)

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body (the nipple is lateral to the breastbone)

Medial

Toward the midline of the body (The bridge of the nose is medial to the eye)

Superficial

Toward or on the surface (the skin is superficial to muscle)

Deep

Awar from te surface, internal (the lungs are deep to the ribs)