Anatomy- Directional Terms and Body Regions

Superior

Above another or closer to the head

Inferior

Below another or closer to the feet

Anterior (or Ventral)

Towards the front

Posterior (or Dorsal)

Towards the back

Medial

Relates to the imaginary midline dividing in half

Lateral

Towards the side with respect to the imaginary midline

Ipsilateral

Same side

Contralateral

Opposite side

Proximal

Closer to the trunk of the body or point of reference

Distal

Further from the trunk of the body or the point of reference

Superficial

Near the surface

Deep

More internal

Cephalic

Head

Cervical

Neck (vertebrae)

Thoracic

Chest cavity (heart and lungs)

Abdominal

Digestion (stomach)

Pelvic

Urinary and reproduction

Pedal

Feet

Axillary

Armpits

Pectoral

Outer chest (breasts)

Orbital

Eyes

Nasal

Nose

Oral

Mouth Cavity

Inguinal

Outer pelvis (front)

Cranial

Head Cavity (brain)

Deltoid

Shoulders

Brachial

Arms from elbows to shoulders

Carpal

Wrists

Digital

Fingers and toes

Femoral

Knee to hip

Patellar

Kneecap

Tarsal

Ankle

Planter

Bottom of your foot

Midsagittal/Sagittal

Divides left and right

Frontal

Into posterior and anterior

Transverse

Into superior and inferior