Anatomical Directions

Prone

Lying face down.

Supine

Lying face up.

Bilateral

Pertaining to both sides of the body.

Unilateral

Pertaining to one side of the body.

Deep

Refers to a structure being closer to the core of the body than another structure.

Inferior

Refers to a structure being closer to the feet lower than another structure in the body.

Superior

Refers to a structure being closer to the head higher than another structure in the body.

Medial

Refers to a structure being closer to the midline or median plane of the body than another structure of the body.

Superficial

Refers to a structure being closer to the surface of the body than another structure.

Lateral

Refers to a structure being farther away from the midline than another structure of the body.

Posterior

Refers to a structure being more in back than another structure in the body.

Anterior

Refers to a structure being more in front than another structure in the body.

Dorsal

Toward the back.

Ventral

Toward the front/belly.

Proximal

With reference to the extremities only, refers to a structure being closer to the root of the limb than another structure in the limb.

Distal

With reference to the extremities only, refers to a structure being further away from the root of the limb than another structure in that limb.