Download Directional Terms

The Skeletal System
Anatomical Terms
Anatomical Position
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is the reference position used to describe the location of anatomical parts and to
describe and explain human movement.
the subject is:
1. standing upright with feet flat on the floor
2. arms at the side of the body
3. facing the observer
4. palms are facing forward (supinated)
Directional Terms
Note:
the midline is an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into
equal left and right sides
1. Superior:
nearer the head
e.g. the heart is superior to the liver
2. Inferior:
farther away from the head
e.g. the stomach is inferior to the lungs
3. Anterior (ventral):
nearer to or in front of the body
e.g. the sternum is anterior to the heart
4. Posterior (dorsal):
nearer to or at the back of the body
e.g. the esophagus is posterior to the trachea
5. Medial:
closer to the midline of the body
e.g. the ulna is on the medial side of the forearm
6. Lateral:
farther away from the midline of the body
e.g. the ear is lateral to the nose in all individuals
7. Proximal:
nearer to the attachment of an extremity (limb) to
the trunk; nearer to the point of origin
e.g. the humerus is proximal to the radius
8. Distal:
farther from the attachment of an extremity (limb) to the
trunk; farther away from the point of origin
e.g. the phalanges are distal to the carpals (wrist bones)
9. Superficial:
on or near the surface of the body
e.g. the skin is the most superficial organ of the body
10. Deep:
farther away from the surface of the body
e.g. the ribs are deep to the skin of the chest