Anatomical terms for dissection

The body is erect and the arms are hanging at the sides of the body with the palms forward and the thumbs pointing away.

• superior

• anatomical position

• ventral

• superficial

Above; at a higher level (towards the head)

• lateral

• inferior

• medial

• superior

Below; at a lower level

• inferior

• medial

• superior

• lateral

the front; before (Ventral)

• medial

• anterior

• posterior

• dorsal

the back; behind (Dorsal)

• medial

• anterior

• posterior

• ventral

towards the body's longitudinal axis (the middle; mid-sagittal plane)

• lateral

• ventral

• dorsal

• medial

away from the body's longitudinal axis (away from the midline)

• ventral

• lateral

• dorsal

• medial

between two structures

• inferior

• lateral

• medial

• intermediate

towards an attached base (attachment point)

• lateral

• medial

• distal

• proximal

away from an attached base (attachment point)

• lateral

• medial

• distal

• proximal