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Directional Terms
Common Directional Terms in the Human Body
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| anterior | toward the front, or in front of another structure |
| posterior | toward the back, or behind another structure |
| ventral | toward the belly side of the body |
| dorsal | toward the back side of the body |
| lateral | toward the side of the body |
| medial | toward the midline of the body |
| distal | farther from the point of origin or attachment |
| proximal | closer to the point of origin or attachment |
| inferior | below or lower than another part |
| superior | above or higher than another part |
| caudal | toward the tailbone or lower end of the spine |
| cranial or cephalic | toward the head |
| superficial | closer to the surface of the body |
| deep | farther from the surface of the body |
| ipsilateral | on the same side as another structure |
| contralateral | on the opposite side of another structure |