Vet Tech Directional Terms

Posterior

• Toward the front wall

• Toward the back wall

• Above

• Below

Superior

• Front; Facing Forward

• Back; Facing Backward

• Above

• Below

Caudal

• Toward the abdomen

• Toward the head

• Toward the tail

• Toward the back

Transverse Plane

• Divides the body into dorsal/ventral

• Divides the body into cranial/caudal

• Divides the body into left/right

Ventral

• Toward the belly

• Toward the head

• Toward the tail

• Toward the back

Lateral

• Toward the nose

• Toward the midline

• Toward the side

• Toward the toes

Distal

• Toward the nose

• Away from midline

• Toward the point of origin

• Away from the point of origin

Rostral

• Toward the nose

• Toward the midline

• Away from midline

• Away from the body; Toward the toes

Sagittal Plane

• Divides the body into dorsal/ventral

• Divides the body into cranial/caudal

• Divides the body into left/right

Inferior

• Front; Facing Forward

• Back; Facing Backward

• Above

• Below