1. ORIENTATION & DIRECTION TERMS
9-5-13

2. SUPERIOR (Cranial) (Rostral)
Toward the head,
or the upper part of a structure

3. INFERIOR (Caudal) Toward the feet (away from the head),
or the lower part of a structure

4. ANTERIOR / VENTRAL
Toward the front of the body

5. POSTERIOR / DORSAL
Toward the back of the body

6. MEDIAL
Toward or at the midline
of the body

7. LATERAL
Away from the midline
of the body

8. INTERMEDIATE (not on quiz 1)
Between two structures

9. PROXIMAL
Closer to the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

10. DISTAL
Farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

11. SUPERFICIAL
Toward or on the surface
of the body

12. DEEP
Away from the surface of the body; more internal

13. IPSILATERAL (not on chart)
On the same side of the body as another structure

14. CONTRALATERAL (not on chart)
On the opposite side of the body from another structure

15. BODY PLANES / SECTIONS

16. SAGITTAL (Sagitt = arrow)
Divides the body or an organ into right and left sides

17. MIDSAGITTAL MEDIAN / MEDIAL
Passes through midline and divides the body or an organ into EQUAL right and left sides

18. FRONTAL (CORONAL)
Divides the body or an organ into front (anterior) and back (posterior) portions

19. TRANSVERSE
Divides the body or an organ into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions