Common Directional Terms

Right and Left

Animal’s right and left

Right and Left

Median plane

Imaginary plane that runs down the center of the body lengthwise and divides it into equal left and right halves

Median plane

Medial

Towards the median plane

Medial

Lateral

Away from the median plane

Lateral

Rostral

Toward the tip of the nose when referring to the head

Rostral

Cranial

Toward the head end of the body or in a direction toward the head

AND

on the front of the forelegs above the carpus and on the front of the back legs above the tarsus

Cranial

Cranial

Caudal

Toward the tail end of the body or in a direction toward the tail

AND

on the back of the forelegs above the carpus and on the back of the rear legs above the tarsus

Caudal

Caudal

Transverse plane

Divides the body into cranial (front) and caudal (rear) parts

Transverse plane

Proximal

A position on a limb that is closer to the point of attachment to the body

Proximal

Distal

A position on a limb that is farther away from the point of attachment to the body

Distal

Dorsal

Toward the animal’s back

AND
Top/front surface of the forelimb distal to the carpus and the top/front surface of the rear legs distal to the tarsus

Dorsal

Dorsal

Ventral

Toward the animal’s belly

Ventral

Dorsal plane

Runs lengthwise down the body and divides it into dorsal and ventral portions

Dorsal plane

Palmar

The back of the forefeet distal to the carpus

Palmar

Plantar

The back of the rear feet distal to the tarsus

Plantar

Superficial/external

Toward the surface of the body or body part

Superficial/external

Deep/internal

Toward the center of the body or body part

Deep/internal

Recumbency

Lying down

Recumbency