Anatomical Positions

Superior

Located closer to the head or higher up relative to another structure

Inferior

A structure located lower down or closer to the feet relative to another part

Anterior

“In front of” or toward the front surface of the body or an organ

Posterior

(also known as dorsal) refers to the back of the body or a structure located toward the rear

Distal

Farther from the trunk or attachment/limb

Proximal

Nearer to the heart or to the point of attachment.

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body

Deep

Structure located further inside the body, away from the surface

Medial

Toward the midline or center of the body

Lateral

farther away from center or midline of the body

Intermediate

A structure that lies between two other structure, typically between a superficial and deep layer, or between a medial and lateral structure.

Transveral

an imaginary flat line that divides the human body horizontally into upper and lower sections

Sagittal

a vertical plane that passes through the body from front to back, dividing it into right and left sections

Frontal

that divides the body or an organ into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions

Midsagittal

Cutting something directly in the middle of the sagittal plane

Head

Cephalic region

Skull

Cranial

Forehead

Frontal

Orbital/Ocular

Eyes

Nasal

Nose

Postereolateral

Located towards the back (posterior) and the outside (lateral) of the body or specific body part

Where are the thumbs located in anatomical position?

Outside, away from the body

Mouth

Oral

Cheeks

Buccal

Ears

Otic

Chin

Mental

Neck connects…

the head to the trunk

Front region of the neck

Anterior region

Posterior region

Back of the neck

Neck

Cervical

Chest

Thorax

Breastbone

Sternal

Breasts

Mammary

Armpits

Axillary

Rib regions

Costal/Thoracic

Shoulder Blade

Posterior scapular

Vertebral region

Spine

Stomach

Abdominal (a generalized term for the entire stomach)

Lower Back

Lumbar

Hip

Coxal

Groin

Inguinal

Perineal area

Between the thighs is the

Sacral

Lower back, just above buttocks and directly below lumbar region

Shoulder

Acromial

Upper arm

Brachial

Interior of the elbow

Antecubital

Exterior of the elbow

Olecranan

Wrist

Carpal

Hand

Manual

Palm

Palmar

Fingers

Phalanges

Thumb

Pollex

Thighs

Femoral

Kneecap

Patellar

Back of knee

Popliteal

Shin/front of lower leg

Crural

Calf

Sural

Ankle

Tarsal

Foot

Pedal

Heel

Calcaneal

Sole

Plantar

Toes

Digitals/Phalanges

Big Toe

Hallux

Umbilical

Belly button, located at the center of the abdomen.

Antebrachial

The forearm

Gluteus

Buttocks

Pelvic region

Region located between the abdominal region and the thighs, containing organs such as the bladder and reproductive organs.