Anatomy Directional Terms

Superior/Inferior

Above & Below

Superior

Above

Inferior

below

Anterior/Posterior

Front and back

Anterior or Ventral

Front

Posterior or Dorsal

Back

Medial/Lateral

Toward or away from midline

Medial

toward midline

Lateral

away from midline

Proximal/Distal

Near and far from a limb’s attachment point (arms and legs ONLY)

Proximal

near limb’s attachment point

Distal

from limb’s attachment point

Superficial/Deep

Near and far from the body surface

Superficial

near from body’s surface

Deep

far from body’s surface

Supine

refers to lying on one’s back, with face and torso facing up

Prone

refers to lying flat with face and chest down

Cephalic

toward the head

Caudal

toward feet

Sagittal Plane

divides body from left to right

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

vertical cut divide front and back

Tranverse Plane

divides into upper or lower