Positional and Directional Terminology

Anatomical position

Standard reference position body upright face forward arms at sides palms forward toes ahead

Supine

Lying flat on the back face upward

Prone

Lying flat on the stomach face downward

Dorsal recumbent

Lying on the back with knees bent feet flat

Fowler position

Sitting upright back at 90° angle

Semi-Fowler’s position

Sitting with back at 45° angle

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back

Superior

Toward the head

Inferior

Toward the feet

Medial

Closer to midline

Lateral

Further from midline

Superficial

Near the surface

Deep

Farther from surface

Proximal

Closer to trunk

Distal

Farther from trunk

Dextrad

Toward the right side

Sinistrad

Toward the left side