Directional Terms

Directional terms are used to describe the relationship of body parts or the location of an external object with respect to the body. The following are commonly used directional terms:

• Superior or cranial. Closer to the head.

• Inferior or caudal. Closer to the feet.

• Anterior or ventral. Toward the front of the body.

• Posterior or dorsal. Toward the back of the body.

• Medial. Toward the midline of the body.

• Lateral. Away from the midline of the body.

• Proximal. Closer to the trunk.

• Distal. Away from the trunk.

• Superficial. Toward the surface of the body.

• Deep. Away from the surface of the body in the direction of the inside of the body.