click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Directional terms
Region terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Anterior | The front surface Ex: The navel is on the anterior surface of the trunk. |
| Ventral | The belly side Ex: The navel is on the ventral surface of the the trunk. |
| Posterior or dorsal | The back surface Ex: The shoulder blade is located posterior to the rib cage. |
| Cranial or cephalic | The head |
| Superior | Above; at a higher level (toward the head) |
| Caudal | The tail (coccyx in humans) |
| Inferior | Below; at a lower level |
| Medial | Toward the body's longitudinal axis; toward the midsagittal plane |
| Lateral | Away from the body's longitudinal axis; away from the midsagittal plane |
| Proximal | Toward an attached base |
| Distal | Away from an attached base |
| Superficial | At near, or relatively close to the body surface |
| Deep | Farther from the body surface |