Anatomical Directions

(from "Anatomy and Physiology," Patton/Thibodeau, 7th Edition, Mosby)

DIRECTIONAL TERM      DEFINITION       EXAMPLE OF USAGE

Left - To the left of body (not your left, the subject's) - The stomach is to the left of the liver
Right - To the right of the body or structure being studied - The right kidney is damaged

Lateral - Toward the side; away from the midsagittal plane - The eyes are lateral to the nose
Medial - Toward the midsagittal plane; away from the side - The eyes are medial to the ears

Anterior - Toward the front of the body - The breastbone (sternum) is anterior to the heart
Posterior - Toward the back (rear) of the body - The heart is posterior to the breastbone (sternum)

Superior - Toward the top of the body - The shoulders are superior to the hips
Inferior - Toward the bottom of the body - The stomach is inferior to the heart

Dorsal - Along (or toward) the vertebral surface of the body - Her scar is along the dorsal surface
Ventral - Along (or toward) the belly surface of the body - The naval is on the ventral surface

Caudad (caudal) - Toward the tail - The neck is caudad to the skull
Cephalad - Toward the head - The neck is cephalad to the tail

Proximal - Toward the trunk (describes relative position in a limb or other appendage) - The joint is proximal to the toenail
Distal - Away from the trunk or point of attachment - The hand is distal to the elbow

Visceral - Toward an internal organ; away from the outer wall (describes positions inside a body cavity) - This organ is covered with the visceral layer of the membrane
Parietal - Toward the wall; away from the internal structures - The abdominal cavity is lined with the parietal peritoneal membrane

Deep - Toward the inside of a part; away from the surface - The thigh muscles are deep to the skin
Superficial - Toward the surface of a part; away from the inside - The skin is a superficial organ

Medullary - Refers to an inner region, or medulla - The medullary portion contains nerve tissue
Cortical - Refers to an outer region, or cortex - The cortical area produces hormones

Ipsilateral - On the same side of the body as - The left knee is ipsilateral to the left ankle
Contralateral - On the opposite side of the body - The left knee is contralateral to the right knee