A&P Directional Terms
Superior
Above
Inferior
Below
Intermediate
Between two structures
Medial
Closer to midline of body
Superficial
Closer to surface of body
Posterior (Dorsal)
Closer to the back of the body
Anterior (Ventral)
Closer to the front of the body
Lateral
Farther from midline of body
Distal
Farther from point of attachment of limb to trunk
Deep
Farther from surface of body
Proximal
Nearer to the point of attachment of limb to trunk
Contralateral
On opposite sides of body
Ipsilateral
On same side of body
The sternum is _____ to the vertebrae.
anterior
The sternum is _____ to the vertebral column.
anterior
The trachea is _____ to the esophagus.
anterior
The urinary bladder is _____ and _____ to the uterus.
anterior, inferior
The right fibula and left fibula are _____.
contralateral
The carpus is _____ to the brachium.
distal
The tibia is _____ to the femur.
distal
The gallbladder is _____ on the surface of the liver.
inferior
The liver is _____ to the lungs.
inferior
The pelvic girdle is _____ to the ribs.
inferior
The right humerus and the right radius are _____.
ipsilateral
The right lung and right kidney are _____.
ipsilateral
The ribs are _____ to the sternum.
lateral
The abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava are _____ to the kidneys.
medial
The heart is _____ to the lungs.
medial
The stomach is _____ to the spleen.
medial
The nose is _____ and _____ to the eyes.
medial, inferior
The kidneys are _____ to the small intestine.
posterior
The pancreas is _____ and _____ to the stomach.
posterior, inferior
The humerus is _____ to the radius.
proximal
The skin is _____ to the bones.
superficial
The clavicle is _____ to the ribs.
superior
The orbit is _____ to the oral cavity.
superior
The stomach is _____ to the small intestine.
superior
