Anatomical Structures 1

Superior

Structure being closer to the head or higher than another structure (above)

Inferior

Structure being closer to the feet or lower than another structure (below)

Anterior

Structure being more in front of another body structure

Posterior

Structure being more in front of another body structure

Medial

Structure being closer to the midline or median plane of the body than another structure

Lateral

Structure being farther away from the midline than another structure

Distal

Structure being further away from the roof of the limb than another structure in the limb (arms and legs) (root attaches to torso)

Proximal

Structure being closer to the root of the limb than another structure in that limb

Superficial

Structure being closer to the surface of the body than another structure

Deep

Structure being closer to the core of the body than another structure

Ventral

Towards the front of the body (vent out of your mouth)

Dorsal

Towards the back (dorsal fin of a dolphin)

Prone

Lying face down (like a pro baseball player sliding into home base)

Supine

Lying face up (soup poured in your mouth)

Unilateral

One side of the body (lateral side)

Bilateral

Both sides of the body