Dissection

Anterior

Top or front of an organisms body

Posterior

bottom or back of an organism’s body

Dorsal

the back of an organism or towards the back

Ventral

the stomach or underside of an organism

Lateral

the side of an organism

Distal

towards the outside or furthest from the base

basal

the bottom of an elongated structure or towards the base

interior

the inside of an organism

exterior

the outside of an organism

Bilateral symmetry

when cut from top to bottom both halves are symmetrical

Radial symmetry

when cut in half the resulting pieces are not equal

Scalpel

deep incisions

scissors

cut through skin and muscle

probe

used to point or gently move

tweezers

removal of internal items

pins

hold items in place