| Term | Definition |
| Left | left on subject.
Ex: stomach is left to liver. |
| Right | right on subject.
Ex: right kidney is damaged. |
| Lateral | toward side, away from midsaggital plane.
Ex: eyes are lateral to nose. |
| Medial | toward migsaggital plane away from side.
Ex: eyes are medial to ears. |
| Anterior | toward front of body.
Ex: nose is anterior of head. |
| Posterior | toward back (rear).
Ex: heel is posterior to head. |
| Superior | toward top of body.
Ex: shoulders are superior to hips. |
| Inferior | toward bottom of body.
Ex: stomach is inferior to heart. |
| Dorsal | along/toward vertebral surface/backside.
Ex: Her scar is along the dorsal surface. |
| Ventral | alone/toward the belly surface.
Ex: the navel is on the ventral surface. |
| Caudal (caudad) | toward tail.
Ex: neck is caudal to tail. |
| Cephalad | toward head.
Ex: neck is cephalad to tail. |
| Proximal | toward trunk/relative position to limb.
Ex: knee is proximal to toes. |
| Distal | away from trunk/point of attachment.
Ex: fingers are distal to elbow. |
| Visceral | toward internal organs; away from surface/cavity.
Ex: organ is covered w/ the visceral layer of membrane. |
| Parietal | toward wall; away from internal structures.
Ex: abdominal cavity is lined w/ parietal peritoneal membrane. |
| Deep | toward inside of part; away from surface.
Ex: thigh muscles are deep to skin. |
| Superficial | toward surfaces of part; away from inside.
Ex: skin is superficial organ. |
| Medullary | inner region; medulla.
Ex: Medullary portion of organ contains nerve tissue. |
| Cortical | outer region; cortex.
Ex: cortical area makes hormones. |
| Ipsilateral | same side.
Ex: left knee is ipsilateral to left ankle. |
| Contralateral | opposite side.
Ex: left knee is contralateral to right knee. |
