Anatomy Terms

Orientation and Direction

Superior towards head

Inferior (caudal) towards the lower part of a body part

Anterior (ventral) front

Posterior (dorsal) back

Medial toward the midline of the body

Lateral Away from the midline

Intermediate between a more medial and lateral position (center)

Proximal Closer to the origin of the body part

Distal closer to the end of the body part

Superficial Toward the body surface

Deep Away from the body surface