Directional Terms Flashcards
Anterior
The front; before.
Ex. The navel is on the anterior surface of the trunk
Ventral
The belly side (equivalent to anterior when referring to human body).
Ex. The navel is on the ventral surface.
Posterior
The back; behind.
Ex. The scapula is located posterior to the rib cage.
Dorsal
The back (equivalent to posterior when referring to human body). Ex. The scapula is located on the dorsal side of the body.
Cranial
Toward the head.
Ex. The cranial, or cephalic, border of the pelvis is superior to the thigh.
Cephalic
Toward the head.
Superior
Above at a higher level (in human body, toward the head)
Caudal
Toward the tail (coccyx in humans).
Ex. The hips are caudal to the waist.
Inferior
Below; at a lower level; toward the feet.
Ex. The knees are inferior to the hips.
Medial
Toward the midline (the longitudinal axis of the body).
Ex. The medial surfaces of the thighs may be in contact.
Lateral
Away from the midline (the longitudinal axis of the body)
Ex. The femur articulates with the lateral surface of the pelvis.
Proximal
Toward an attached base.
Ex. The thigh is proximal to the foot.
Distal
Away from an attached base.
Ex. The fingers are distal to the wrist.
Superficial
At, near, or relatively close to the body surface.
Ex. The skin is superficial to underlying structures.
Deep
Toward the interior of the body; farther from the surface.
Ex. The bone of the thigh is deep to the surrounding skeletal muscles.
