Directional Terms

Abduction: Movement away from the midsagittal (median) plane of the body or one of its parts

Adduction: Movement toward the midsagittal (median) plane of the body

Medial: Pertaining to the midline of the body or structure

Lateral: Pertaining to a side

Superior (cephalad): Toward the head or upper portion of a structure

Inferior (caudal): Away from the head, or toward the tail or lower part of a structure

Proximal: Nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body

Distal: Further from the center (trunk of the body) or from the point of attachment to the body

Anterior (ventral): Front of the body

Posterior (dorsal): Back of the body

Parietal: Pertaining to the outer wall of the body cavity

Visceral: Pertaining to the viscera, or internal organs, especially the abdominal organs

Prone: Lying on the abdomen, face down

Supine: Lying horizontally on the back, face up

Inversion: Turning inward or inside out

Eversion: Turning outward

Palmar: Pertaining to the palm of the hand

Plantar: Pertaining to the sole of the foot

Superficial: Toward the surface of the body (external)

Deep: Away from the surface of the body (internal)