directional/dental terminology

Dorsal

Back of the animal

Lateral

Side of the animal

Ventral

Underside or belly of animal

Caudal

Towards tail of animal

Occlusal

Chewing surface of tooth

Lingual

Tooth that touches tongue

Supine

Lying face up

Buffalo

Tooth that touches cheek

Stomat/o

Mouth

Gloss/o

Tongue

Hock

Ankle

Cranial

Toward the head

Rostral

Toward tip of the nose (used only on head)

Medial

Towards median plane

Deep

Center of body/body part

Superficial

Surface of body/ body part

Proximal

Toward the body (used for appendages)

Distal

Away from the body (used for appendages)

Palmar

Ground/back surface of front limb distal to carpus

Plantar

Ground/back surface of hindlimb distal to tarsus

Sternal

Near sternum (bone in chest)

L lateral recumbency

Laying on left side with left side down

Pasterior

Back of body

Dorsal recumbency

Patient lying on their back

Anterior

Front part

Sagittal plane

Left and right sections of body

Midsagittal plane

Divides body in equal left and right halves

Dorsal plane

Divides body in front and back portions

Cephalic

Relating to the head

Transverse plane

Divides body in superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions

Inguinal

Groin area

Superior

Top half

Recumbency

Lying down

Inferior

Bottom half

R lateral recumbency

Laying down with right side touching surface