Term | Definition | Example |
Anterior (ventral) | front of the body, toward the front | The navel is on the anterior side of body; toes are anterior to ankle |
Deep | away from the surface | The bullet wound penetrated deep into the abdomen. |
Distal | farther from the point of attachment to the trunk or a structure | The toes are distal to the ankle. |
External | outside, exterior to | The ribs are external to the lungs. |
Inferior (caudal) | below; toward the tail | The intestines are inferior to the stomach; the legs are inferior to the trunk. |
Internal | within, interior to | The brain is internal to the skull. |
Lateral | pertaining to the side; toward the side | The eyes are lateral to the nose. |
Medial | pertaining to the middle; toward the midline | The mouth is medial to the cheeks. |
Posterior (dorsal) | back of the body; near the back | The spinal column is on the posterior side of the body; the heel is posterior to the toes |
Proximal | near the point of attachment to the trunk or a structure | The ankle is proximal to the foot. |
Parietal | pertaining to the outer wall of a body cavity | The parietal pleura lines the chest cavity |
Superficial | toward or on the surface | The scrape from the fall is a superficial wound |
Superior (cephalic, cranial) | above; toward the head | The chest is superior to the abdomen; the heart is superior to the stomach |
Visceral | pertaining to the covering of an organ | The visceral pleura covers the lungs. |