Directional Terms

Superior

Towards the head, "up", above

Inferior

Towards the feet, "down", below

Anterior

Towards the front of the body, ventral- belly

Posterior

Towards the back, dorsal- back

Medial

Toward the midline

Lateral

Away from the midline

Proximal

Closer to the origin or trunk (on limbs)

Distal

Farther from the origin or trunk (on limb)

Superfical

Closer to the body surface

Deep

Further from the body surface

antebrachial region

The antecubital region is proximal to the

-olecranal region

-brachial region

-antebrachial region

knee

The tarsal region is distal to the

-pollex

-knee

-hallux

popliteal region

The cervical region is superior to the

-cranium

-popliteal region

-otic region

carpal region

The pollex is distal to the

-carpal region

-umbilical region

-ocular region

liver

The stomach is contralateral to the

-liver

-pancreas

-spleen

spleen

The stomach is ipsilateral to the

-liver

-spleen

-gallbladder

mental region

The frontal region is superior to the

-cranial region

-mental region

patellar region

The popliteal region is posterior to the

-femoral region

-acromial region

-patellar region

heart

The diaphragm is inferior to the

-stomach

-heart

-intestines

Ipsilateral

Structure in on the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Structure is on the opposite side of the body.

Intermediate

Structure is in between two structures

lungs

The heart is intermediate to the

-liver

-kidneys

-lungs

heart and lungs

The ribs are superficial to the

-skeletal muscles

-skin

-heart and lungs

Right Lower Quadrant

The Right Upper Quadrant is ipsilateral to the

-Right Lower Quadrant

-Left Upper Quadrant

-Left Lower Quadrant

Right Upper Quadrant

The Left Lower Quadrant is contralateral to the

-Left Upper Quadrant

-Right Upper Quadrant

-Hypogastric Region

ear

The nose is anterior to the

-ear

-skin

-hallux

nose

The ears are lateral to the

-arms

-legs

-nose

buccal regions

The oris region is medial to the

-buccal regions

-nasal region

-frontal region

pleural cavities

The pericardial cavity is intermediate to the

-thoracic cavity and ventral cavity

-ventral cavity and abdominal cavity

-pleural cavities