Anatomical Directional Terms

Superior (cephalad) - Towards the head/ above/ upward

Inferior (caudal) - Towards the tail/ below/ downward

Anterior (ventral) - Towards the front or belly

Posterior (dorsal) - Towards the back

Medial - Towards the midline

Lateral - Towards the side

Proximal - Closer to the trunk

Distal - Farther from the trunk

Superficial - Closer to the surface

Deep - Farther away from the surface

Ipsilateral - On the same side of the body

Contralateral - On opposite sides of the body

• Superior / Inferior: Above / below. Example: The heart is superior to the small intestine.

• Anterior / Posterior: Front / back. Example: The sternum is anterior to the heart.

• Ventral / Dorsal: Front / back. In humans, ventral corresponds to anterior, and dorsal corresponds to posterior.

• Medial / Lateral: Toward the midline / toward the side. Example: The nose is medial to the eyes.

• Proximal / Distal: Closer to the trunk (proximity) / farther from the trunk (distant). Example: The thigh is proximal to the foot.

• Superficial / Deep: Closer to the surface / farther inside. Example: The sternum is superficial to the lungs.