Human Anatomy Directional Terms

deep (internal)

away from the body surface; more internal

inferior (caudal)

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or he body; below

lateral

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

distal

farther from the orgin of a body part or the piont of attatchment of a limb to the body trunk

superficial (external)

toward or at the body surface

anterior (ventral)

toward or at the front of the body; in front of

medial

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

intermediate

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

proximal

close to the orgin of the body part or the point of attatchment of a limb to the body trunk

posterior (dorsal)

toward or at the backside of the body; behind

superior (cranial or cephalad)

toward the head end or upper part of a structure