Directional Terms

Proximal

nearer to the origination (close to point of attachment)

Distal

farthest from the origination (far from the point of attachment)

Superior/cephalic

toward the head/upper part

Inferior

below/ away from the head

Cranial

towards skull

Caudal

towards tail

Lateral

to the side

Medial

near midline

supine

laying face up

prone

laying face down

Anterior

in front/nearer to or at the front of the body

Posterior

behind

Ventral

belly

Dorsal

back

Superficial

closer/towards to surface

Deep

further away from surface

immediate

between two structures

contralateral

on the opp

distal

father from the origination

superficial

toward the surface of the body

ipsilateral

on the same side of the body

median

midline

middle

near to the medial