Anatomical Directional Terms

Dorsal

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

Ventral

At the belly side of the human body The umbilicus (navel, belly button) is on the__________ side of the body.

Cranial (cephalic)

At the head end. the shoulders are____________ to the feet.

Caudal

At the rear or tail end. the buttocks are __________ to the head.

Lateral

Away from the mid line of the body. the arms are __________to the heart.

Inferior

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

Superior

Closer to the head The chest is _________to the pelvis.

Proximal

Closest to point of attachment to trunk. the elbow is ___________ to the hand.

Distal

Furthest from point of attachment to trunk. the wrist is____________ to the elbow.

Anterior

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

Posterior

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

Deep

On the inside, internal to another structure. the heart is____________ to the rib cage.

Superficial

On the outside. the skin is ________________ to the biceps brachii muscle.

Medial

Toward the mid line of the body. the lungs are ___________to the shoulders.

Rostral

Toward the nose or mouth. the eyes are ____________ to the back of the head.