Anatomical Directional Terms for Body Orientation and Position

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body

Superior

Toward the upper part of the body

Inferior

Toward the lower part of the body

Cranial (Cephalic)

Toward the head

Caudal

Toward the tail or inferior end

Rostral

Toward the nose or mouth

Medial

Toward the midline

Lateral

Away from the midline

Intermediate

Between medial and lateral

Proximal

Closer to point of attachment

Distal

Farther from point of attachment

Superficial

Toward the surface

Deep

Away from the surface

Ipsilateral

Same side

Contralateral

Opposite side

coronal (frontal) plane

vertical division of the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) portions

transverse (cross-sectional) plane

horizontal cut that separates the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts

midsagittal plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

sagittal plane

Parallel to midsagittal, but left or right of midsagittal; divides structure into unequal portions

oblique plane

passes through the body at an angle