Anatomy Directional Terms

Supine

Lying on back

prone

Lying on stomach

Axial Region

head, vertebral, trunk

Appendicular Region

Upper and lower limbs

Closer to the front of the body

Anterior

Below is

Inferior

Between two structures is

intermediate

Above is

Superior

Farther from the midline

lateral

Closer to the surface of the body

Superficial

Closer to the back of the body is

Posterior (dorsal)

Farther from the surface of the body

Deep

Closer to the midline of the body is

Medial

On the same side of the body is

ipsilateral

Nearer to the point of attachment of limb to trunk

Proximal

On opposite sides of the body is

Contralateral

Farther from the point of attachment is

Distal