Anatomical terms

dorsal

towards the back (trunk)

ventral

towards the belly

cranial

towards the head

caudal

towards the tail, can also be used with the head

rostral

for the head, towards the muzzle

medial

towards the centre

lateral

towards the side

proximal

towards the trunk

distal

away from the trunk

cranial

structures at the front of the proximal region

caudal

structure at the back of the proximal region

dorsal

structures at front of distal region

palmar

structures at back of distal region for forelimb

plantar

structures at back of distal region for hindlimb

axial

towards the axis of digits

abaxial

away from axis of digits

median plane

2 equal parts

paramedian plane

parallel and close to the median plane

sagittal plane

divides unequally

dorsal plane

parallel to dorsal surface

tranverse plane

perpendicular to long axis