Directional Terms

Lateral

• toward the midline

• away from the midline

• toward the front

• toward the back

Intermediate

• between a more medial and a more lateral structure

• located at the center of the body

• towards the back of the body

• further away from the midline

Distal

• closer to the point of attachment

• farther away from the point of attachment

• at the same level as the point of attachment

• directly attached to the point of attachment

Inferior

• above

• below

• beside

• behind

Anterior

• back

• side

• front

• top

Proximal

• farther from the point of attachment

• closer to the point of attachment

• at the same level as the point of attachment

• opposite to the point of attachment

Ipsilateral

• on the same side of the body

• on the opposite side of the body

• above the body

• below the body

Cranial

• toward the head

• away from the head

• toward the feet

• to the side of the body

Supine

• lying on the back, face up

• lying on the stomach, face down

• sitting upright with legs extended

• lying on the side, face sideways

Ventral

• back side

• top side

• belly side

• side view