Cranial
Pertaining to the cranium or head end of the body or denoting a position more toward the head of the body. Example: the head is cranial to the tail
Adjacent
Next to, adjoining, or close to. Example: the tongue is adjacent to the teeth
Caudal
Pertaining to the tail end of the body or denoting a position more toward the tail or rear. Example: the tail is caudal to the head
Rostral
Pertaining to the nose end of the head or toward the nose. Example: the nose is rostral to the eyes
Dorsal
Pertaining to the back area or denoting a position more toward the back. Example: the backbone is dorsal to the belly
Ventral
Pertaining to the belly or underside. Example: the kidneys are ventral to the backbone
Lateral
Denoting a position father away from the median plane, on the side, or toward the side. Example: the lateral surface of the leg is the outside surface
Medial
Denoting a position closer to the median plane, toward the middle. Example: the medial surface of the leg is the inside surface
Oblique
At an angle, or pertaining to an angle. Example: the vein crossed obliquely from the upper left side down to the lower right side
Superficial
Near the surface, not deep. Example: the skin is superficial to the underlying muscle
Deep
Far beneath the surface. Example: the bones are deep to the skin
Peripheral
Situated near the outer areas or surface of the body. Example: the subcutaneous fat is peripheral to the muscles
Proximal
Nearest to the center of the body relating to another body part. Example: the femur is more proximal to the tibia
Distal
Farthest from the center of the body relating to another body part. Example: the tibia is distal to the femur
Superior
Above or directed above. Example: the nasal cavity is superior to the mouth
Inferior
Below or underneath Example: the mouth is inferior to the nasal cavity
Caudal
Pertaining to the back side of the leg above the carpus and tarsus
Cranial
Can also be a positional term that means the front side of the leg above the carpus and tarsus
Dorsal
Can also be a positional term that applies to the side of the leg opposite the palmar and plantar sides
Palmar
The bottom surface of the front foot
Plantar
The bottom surface of the hind foot
Prone
To lie face down, in ventral recumbency
Recumbent
Lying down.
Dorsal Recumbency
The animal is lying on its back face up
Ventral Recumbency
The animal is lying on its belly
Lateral Recumbency
The animal is on its side
Supine
To lie face up, in dorsal recumbency
Abdominal
Pertaining to the abdomen
Antebrachium
The distal area of the front legs. Below the elbow joint
Appendicular
Related to the limbs and their attachments to the axis of the body
Axial
Related to the head, neck, trunk or torso
Axillary
Pertaining to the armpit area, or the medial aspect of where the front leg meets the torso
Brachial
Pertaining to the proximal area of the front legs of an animal. Above the elbow joint
Cervical
Pertaining to the neck area, the cervical vertebrae, and to the cervix in the female's reproductive system
Coccygeal
Pertaining to the tail or vertebra of the tail
Cranium
The part of the skull that incases the brain
Crural
Pertaining to the rear legs of an animal
Digital
The area of the foot where the animal's toes are located
Frontal
The forehead, or the area of the head above the eyes where the fontal bone and frontal sinuses are located
Inguinal
The groin, or the medical aspect of the rear leg where it is attached to the torso of the body
Lumbar
The lumbar vertebrae, or the region around the lumbar vertebrae
Mammary
The mammary glands (the milk producing glands)
Orbital
The bony eye socket (the orbit)
Patellar
The patella or knee cap
Pelvic
The pelvis or hip bones
Perineal
The region between or surrounding the anus and the external genitalia
Peritoneal
The cavity inside the abdomen and the membrane that lines the cavity.
Peritoneal Cavity
The space inside the abdomen between the organs and the body wall
Pleural
The cavity inside the chest and the membranes that lines the cavity.
Pleural Cavity
The space inside the chest between the lungs and heart and inside the chest wall
Popliteal
The caudal area or back of the knee or stifle joint
Pubic
The bone located between the animal's rear legs. This is part of the pelvis
Sacral
The sacrum, the fused vertebrae by which the pelvis is attached to the backbone
Scapular
The scapula or the shoulder blade area
Sternal
The region of the sternum or breastbone
Stifle
The knee, the femorotibial joint
Thoracic
The thorax or chest, or the regions around them
Umbilical
The umbilicus or naval (belly button)
Vertebral
The vertebrae or spinal cord
Buccal
Surface of the tooth that is next to the cheek
Contact
Surface of the tooth that is adjacent to the next tooth
Labial
Surface of the incisor teeth that is next to the lips
Palatal
Surface of the upper teeth that is next to the hard palate
Lingual
Surface of the lower teeth that is next to the tongue
Mesial
Surfaces of the incisor teeth that are toward the middle or median plane or the mouth and the rostral surface of the canine, premolar, and molar teeth
Occlusal
Surface of the tooth that makes contact with the opposing tooth. It is a chewing or biting surface.
Abduction
Movement of a limb away from the median line or middle of the body
Adduction
Movement of a limb toward the median line or middle of the body
Eversion
Turning outward or inside out
Extension
Straightening or the act of straightening
Flexion
Bending or the act of bending
Pronation
The act of turning the body, arm, or leg so the ventral aspect or palm is down
Rotation
Turning about an axis
Supination
The act of turning the body, arm, or leg so the ventral aspect of the palm is down