Anatomical Positions, Body Planes, & Directional Terms

superior

a part is above another part, or closer to the head

inferior

below or lower than another part of the body; toward the feet

posterior

toward the back

medial

toward the midline of the body; on the inner side of

lateral

away from the midline; on the outer side of

bilateral

refers to paired structures, one on each side

intermediate

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

proximal

closer to the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

anatomical position

body erect, feet slightly apart, palms face-forward, thumbs pointing out

anterior

toward the front

distal

opposite of proximal; farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk

superficial

toward or at the body surface

deep

away from the body surface; more internal

axial

main part of the body; head, neck, trunk

appendicular

appendages of the upper and lower limbs, distinguished from the axial

sagittal plane

divides the body into left/right

frontal/coronal plane

divides the body into front/back (anterior/posterior)

transverse/horizontal plane

divides the body into top/bottom (superior/inferior)

oblique

diagonal cuts between horizontal and vertical