Anatomical position terminology

transverse

A horizontal plane situated at right angles to the long axis, or sagittal and coronal planes; placed crosswise.

sagittal

Division of body into left and right sides in a vertical lengthwise fashion.

coronal

Division of the body into anterior and posterior sections. Also called frontal plane. Can mean pertaining to the head or the crown.

proximal

Nearest; closer to any point of reference; opposite of distal. (The shoulder is distal to the wrist but proximal to the elbow.)

ventral

Pertaining to the abdomen; used to denote a position that is more toward the belly/abdominal surface than some other object of reference.

dorsal

Pertaining to the back of the body; also used to denote a position that is more toward the back than another object of reference. Sometimes called posterior.

medial

Pertaining to the middle; closer to the midline of a body; pertaining to the middle layer.

lateral

Pertaining to the side; denoting a position farther from the midline (median plane) of a structure.

distal

Remote; farther from any point of reference; opposite of proximal. (The shoulder is distal to the wrist but proximal to the elbow.)

superior

Situated above, or directed upward; in official anatomic nomenclature, used in reference to the upper surface of an organ or other structure, or to a structure occupying a higher position.

inferior

Situated below a structure or directed downward; also used to denote the lower portion of an organ or the lower of two structures. Sometimes called caudal.

anterior

Situated in front of or toward the front of a body part or organ. This term is also used in reference to a ventral or belly surface of the body. Frontal is a common synonym for anterior.

posterior

Situated in the back; also used in reference to the back or dorsal surface of the body.