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Anatomy Unit One
Directional Terms of the Human Body
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Superior (cranial) | Toward the HEAD end of the body or the upper part of a structure; ABOVE |
| Inferior (caudal) | AWAY FROM THE HEAD end or toward the LOWER part of a structure or the body; BELOW |
| Ventral (anterior) | Toward or at the FRONT of the body; in front of |
| Dorsal (posterior) | Toward or at the BACKSIDE of the body; BEHIND |
| Medial | Toward or at the MIDLINE of the body; on the INNER SIDE of |
| Lateral | AWAY FROM THE MIDLINE; on the OUTER SIDE of |
| Intermediate | Between a more medial and lateral structure; IN BETWEEN |
| Proximal | CLOSE to the ORIGIN of the body part or to the point of attachment to the trunk |
| Distal | FARTHER from the ORIGIN of a body part or the point of attachment |
| Superficial (external) | Toward or at the BODY SURFACE |
| Deep (internal) | Away from the body surface; more INTERNAL |