directional terms Flashcards
Inferior (caudal)
Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure of the body; below
Superior (cranial or cephalad)
Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above
Anterior (ventral)
Toward or at the front of the body; in front
Posterior (dorsal)
Toward or at the backside of the body; behind
Medial
Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body; on the inner side of
Intermediate
Between a more medial and a more lateral structure
Proximal
Close to the origin if the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Distal
Farther from the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Superficial
Toward or at the body surface
Deep
Away from the body surface; more internal