Directional Terms in Anatomy

Anterior

• The front

• The back

• The middle

• Both sides

Posterior

• Both sides

• Toward the side

• The back

• Head to tail

Cranial

• Toward the head

• Below

• Both sides

• Top or above

Caudal

• The front

• Below

• Toward the tail end

• Inside

Craniocaudal

• Below

• Toward the tail end

• Head to tail

• Both sides

Superior

• Bottom or below

• Side

• Top or above

• Midline

Inferior

• Midline

• Top

• The back

• Below

Medial

• Toward the side

• Inside

• Towards the middle

• further away

Lateral

• On the surface

• Inside

• Toward the head to tail

• Toward the side

Bilateral

• Front

• Both sides

• Below

• above