Relative Directional Terms of the Body in Anatomical Terminology

Some of the directional terms of the body are defined as follows:

Term

Definition and Example

Superior (cranial)         Inferior (caudal) Anterior (ventral) Posterior (dorsal) Medial Lateral Proxima Distal Superficial Deep Peripheral

Toward the head. e.g.: The leg is superior to the foot. Toward the feet or tail region. e.g.: The foot is inferior to the leg. Toward the front of the body. e.g.: The nose is anterior to the ears. Toward the back of the body. e.g.: The ears are posterior to the nose. Toward the midline of the body. e.g.: The nose is medial to the eyes. Away from the midline of the body. e.g.: The eyes are lateral to the nose. Toward (nearer) the trunk of the body or the attached end of a limb. e.g.: The shoulder is proximal to the wrist. Away (farther) from the trunk of the body or the attached end of a limb. e.g.: The wrist is distal to the forearm. Nearer the surface of the body. e.g.: The ribs are more superficial than the heart. Farther from the surface of the body. e.g.: The heart is deeper than the ribs. Away from the central axis of the body. e.g.: Peripheral nerves radiate away from the brain and spinal cord.