Anatomical position terms

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment

Medial Plane

The sagittal plane running through the centre of the body

Superior

above

Lateral

away from the medial plane

Inferior

below

Superficial

closer to the body surface

Proximal

closer to the point of attachment

Transverse plane

extends horizontal and divides body into superior and inferior areas

Frontal (Coronal) plane

extends vertically and divides body into anterior and posterior portions

Deep

farther from the body surface

Prone

lying face down

Supine

lying face up

Sagittal plane

passes vertically through body and divides body into right and left sides

Anatomical position

stance where person stands erect with the feet flat on the floor close together, arms at sides, and palms & face directed forward

Cephalic

toward the head

medial

toward the median plane

Caudal

toward the tail

Anterior

toward the ventral side (front of body/leads the way)

Ventral

towards front or belly; has same meaning as anterior for humans

Dorsal

towards the back or spine

Posterior

towards the dorsal side (back of the body)