click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Medical Terminology
Directional Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Anterior (ventral) | toward the front of the body. |
| Posterior (dorsal) | toward the back of the body. |
| Medial | toward the midline of the body |
| Lateral | toward the side of the body |
| Proximal | nearer to the point of attachment or to a given reference point. |
| Distal | farther from the point of attachment or from a given reference point. |
| Superior (cranial) | above; toward the head. |
| Inferior (caudal) | below; toward the lower end of the spine. |
| Superficial (external) | closer to the surface of the body |
| Deep (internal) | closer to the center of the body. |