Directional Terms - Anatomy

Inferior : Relative to the head or tail of the body

Closer to the feet The stomach is inferior to the heart.

Superior : Relative to the head or tail of the body

Closer to the head The chest is superior to the pelvis.

Dorsal : Relative to front (belly side) or back (back side) of body

At the back side of the human body The spinal cord is on the dorsal side of the body.

Deep : Relative to the midline or center of the body

On the inside, underneath another structure Muscles are deep to the skin.

Cranial : Relative to the head or tail of the body

At the head end The head is cranial to the trunk.

Caudal : Relative to the head or tail of the body

At the rear or tail end The abdomen is caudal to the head.

Lateral : Relative to the midline or center of the body

Away from the midline of the body The arms are lateral to the heart.

Proximal : Relative to the point of attachment of the appendage

Closest to the point of attachment to the trunk of the body The elbow is proximal to the hand.

Distal : Relative to the point of attachment of the appendage

Furthest from the point of attachment to the trunk of the body The wrist is distal to the elbow.

Superficial : Relative to the midline or center of the body

On the outer side The external edge of the kidney is superficial to its internal structure.

Transverse Plane

Cross sectional plane or horizontal plane that cuts perpendicularly along the long axis of the body or organ. Separates the structure into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

Midsagittal Plane

Extends through the body or organ vertically and divides the structure into right and left halves

Posterior : Relative to front (belly side) or back (back side) of body

In back of; toward the back surface The heart is posterior to the sternum.

Anterior : Relative to front (belly side) or back (back side) of body.

In front of; toward the surface The stomach is anterior to the spinal cord.

Sagittal Plane

Similar to midsagittal plane - divides the Body or organ into right and left portions that may or may not be equal

Medial : Relative to the midline or center of the body

Toward the midline of the body The lungs are medial to the shoulders.

Rostral : Relative to the head or tail of the body

Toward the nose The frontal lope is rostral to the occipital lobe.

Coronal Plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back)

Ventral : Relative to front (belly side) or back (back side) of body

At the belly side of the human body The umbilicus is on the ventral side of the body.