Directional Terms and Body Planes

Closer to the head

• Anterior

• Proximal

• Superior

• Medial

Away from the head

• Inferior

• Lateral

• Deep

• Distal

Toward the front of the body

• Superficial

• Anterior

• Inferior

• Proximal

Toward the back of the body

• Superficial

• Distal

• Superior

• Posterior

Another term for superior

• Cranial

• Caudal

• Ventral

• Dorsal

Another term for inferior

• Ventral

• Superior

• Caudal

• Dorsal

Another term for anterior

• Dorsal

• Distal

• Lateral

• Ventral

Another term for posterior

• Medial

• Deep

• Dorsal

• Anterior

Toward the midline of the body

• Inferior

• Superficial

• Proximal

• Medial

Away from the midline of the body

• Inferior

• Distal

• Lateral

• Posterior