Directional Terms

Superior

Above or higher in position; toward the head.

Cranial

Relating to the skull or head; toward the head.

Inferior

Below or lower in position; toward the feet.

Rostral

Relating to the nose and mouth region; toward the face.

Caudal

Relating to the tail; at or near the tail end of the trunk.

Anterior

Nearer to or at the front of the body.

Posterior

Nearer to or at the back of the body.

Ventral

Relating to the belly side of the body; toward the belly.

Dorsal

Relating to the back side of the body; toward the back.

Medial

Nearer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Farther from the midline of the body.

Intermediate

Between two structures.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body’s midline as another structure.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body’s midline from another structure.

Proximal

Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk.

Superficial

Toward or on the surface of the body.

Deep

Away from the surface of the body.

External

Toward the outside of a structure.

Internal

Toward the inside of a structure.