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.