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. |