Anatomical Directional Terms and Brain Planes

Proximal

located more distant from point of origin or attachment

Anterior

toward the front end

Superior

above another part

Inferior

below another part

Lateral

toward the side, away from the midline

Medial

toward the middle, away from the side

Distal

located more distant from point of origin or attachment

Dorsal

toward the back (also : top)

Ventral

toward the stomach/belly

Ipsilateral

on the same side of the body

Contralateral

on the opposite side of the body

Coronal Plane

shows brain structure as seen from front

Sagittal Plane

shows brain structure as seen from the side

Horizontal Plane

shows brain structure as seen from above

Posterior

toward the rear end