Directional Terms

Front

Directional Terms

Back

Explain location of one body structure in relation to
another

Front

Superior

(cranial or cephalic)

Back

Towards the head or upper part of a structure

Above

Front

Inferior

(caudal)

Back

away from the head or towards the lower part of the body

below

Front

Anterior

(ventral)

Back

Towards or at the front of the body

In front of

Front

Posterior

(dorsal)

Back

Toward or at the backside of the body

behind

Front

Medial

Back

Towards the midline of the body

the inner side of

Front

Lateral

Back

Away from the midline of the body

on the outer side of

Front

Intermediate

Back

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

Front

Proximal

Back

Close to the origin of the body part or point of attachment to a limb to the body trunk

Front

Distal

Back

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of
attachment of a limb to the body trunk