Download Anatomical Directional Terms - ALF20-30

ALF 20
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Description:
Standing
Facing forward
Arms at sides
Palms facing forward
Thumbs pointed out
All Anatomical terms are based on the
assumption that the body is in anatomical
position
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Toward the head or
upper part of a
structure
E.g. Your chest is
superior to your
waist.
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Away from head or
lower part of a
structure
E.g. My hips are
inferior to my collar
bone.
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Toward the back of
the body
E.g. Your heel is
posterior to your toes.
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Towards the front of
the body
E.g. Your mouth is
anterior to your ears.
Nearer to the midline.
 What is the midline?
Imagine a line running
down the middle of
your body. From the
top of your head to
your nose, mouth,
center of your chest,
belly button, and so on.
E.g. Your nose is medial to
your ears.
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Farther away from the
midline
E.g. Your ears are
lateral to your nose.
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Toward the surface of
the body
E.g. Your skin is
superficial to your
muscle.
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Away from the
surface of the body
E.g. Your bones are
deep to your skin

Closer to the body
*Different than medial.
Usually only applies
to your limbs.

E.g. Your elbow is
proximal to your
wrist.
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•
Farther away from the
body
Different than Lateral.
Usually only applies
to your limbs.
E.g. Your ankle is
distal to your knee.
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Lying on back
E.g. When performing
a bench press you are
supine.
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Lying face down
E.g. When doing a
push-up you are
prone