Download Directional Terms - Northern Highlands

Anatomical Terms
Term
Definition
Example
Anterior (ventral)
Nearer or to the front of
the body
Nearer to or at the back of
the body
Toward the head or the
upper part of a structure;
generally refers to
structures in the trunk
Away from the head or
toward the lower part of
the structure; generally
refers to structures in the
trunk
Nearer to the midline of
the body or a structure
Away from the midline of
the body
On the same side of the
body
Sternum is anterior to the
heart
Esophagus is posterior to
the trachea
Heart is superior to the
liver
Posterior (dorsal)
Superior (cephalic or
cranial)
Inferior (caudal)
Medial
Lateral
Ipsilateral
Contralateral
Proximal
Distal
Superficial
Deep
Stomach is inferior to the
lungs
Ulna is on the medial side
of the forearm
Lungs are lateral to the
heart
Gall bladder and
ascending colon of the
large intestine are
ipsilateral
On the opposite side of the Ascending and descending
body
colons of the large
intestine are contralateral
Nearer to the attachment
Femur is proximal to the
of an extremity to the
tibia
trunk of a structure
Farther from the
Phalanges are distal to the
attachment of an
carpals (wrist bones)
extremity to the trunk of a
structure
Toward the surface of the Muscles of the thoracic
body
wall are superficial to the
viscera in the thoracic
wall
Away from the surface of
Ribs are deep to the skin
the body
of the chest