Directional Terms for the Human Body

Superior

Toward the head; above another structure

Cranial; Cephalic

Of or near the skull (cranium) or head

Inferior

Away from the head; relatively lower

Caudal

Toward the feet; lower in the body

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front (center); in front of

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the rear (posterior); in back of

Medial

Toward the midsagittal plane or middle

Lateral

Toward the side or further from the middle

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body

Intermediate

In between two structures

Internal (Deep)

Away from the surface of the body

External (Superficial)

On or toward the surface of the body

Proximal

Toward the main mass of the body

Distal

Further from the main mass of the body

Visceral

Relating to an internal organ

Parietal

Relating to the wall of a body cavity