Terminology for A&P

Superior

A part is above another part

Inferior

A part is below another part

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back

Medial

An imaginary midline dividing the body into equal right and left halves

Lateral

Toward the side, away from the midline

Bilateral

Refers to paired structures, one on each side of the midline

Ipsilateral

Refers to structures on the same side

Contralateral

Refers to structures on the opposite side

Proximal

Describes a part closer to the attachment to the trunk than another body part

Distal

A particular body part is farther from a point of attachment to the trunk

Superficial

Near the surface

Deep

Describes more internal parts

Sagittal

Refers to a lengthwise cut that divides the body into right and left portions,

Transverse (horizontal)

Refers to a cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions

Frontal (coronal)

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions

Epigastric

The upper middle portion

Right and left hypochondriac

On the right/left of the epigastric region

Umbilical

The central portion

Right and left lumbar

On the right/left side of the umbilical region

Pubic (hypogastric)

The lower middle portion

Right and left inguinal (iliac)

On the right/left of the pubic region

Abdominal

Region between the thorax and pelvis

Antebrachial

Forearm

Axillary

Armpit

Brachial

Arm

Celiac

Abdomen

Cephalic

Head

Cervical

Neck

Costal

Ribs

Cubital

Elbow

Femoral

Thigh

Gluteal

Buttocks

Lumbar

Region of the lower back between the ribs and the pelvis

Orbital

Eye cavity

Otic

Ear

Patellar

Anterior part of the knee

Pectoral

Anterior chest

Perineal

The inferior-most region of the trunk between the thighs and the buttocks

Plantar

Sole of the foot

Popliteal

Area posterior to the knee

Sacral

Posterior region between the hip bones