Terms of Direction and Body Planes (Anatomy & Physiology Ch. 1)

Cranial (cephalad)

Toward the head

Caudal

Toward the tail

Superior

Uppermost or above

Inferior

Lowermost or below

Anterior

Toward the front

Ventral

The belly side

Posterior

Toward the back

Dorsal

Toward the back

Medial

Nearest the midline of the body

Lateral

Toward the side or away from the midline of the body

Proximal

Nearest the point of attachment or origin

Distal

Away from the point of attachment or origin

Midsagittal (median)

Plane vertically dividing the body into equal right and left portions

Sagittal

Any plane parallel to the midsagittal or median plane vertically dividing the body into unequal left and right portions

Horizontal (transverse)

Plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions

Frontal (coronal)

Plane dividing anterior and posterior portions of the body at right angles to the sagittal plane