BackAnatomy & Physiology: Anatomical Directional Terms
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Terms in this set (10)
Toward the front of the body.
Examples: The palms are on the anterior side; the esophagus is anterior to the spinal cord.
Toward the back of the body.
Examples: The occipital bone is on the posterior cranium; the spinal cord is posterior to the esophagus.
Toward the head.
Examples: The nose is superior to the mouth; the neck is superior to the chest.
Toward the tail or lower part of the body.
Examples: The nose is inferior to the forehead; the umbilicus is inferior to the chest.
Closer to the point of origin (generally the trunk).
Examples: The knee is proximal to the ankle; the shoulder is proximal to the elbow.
Farther away from the point of origin (generally the trunk).
Examples: The foot is distal to the hip; the wrist is distal to the elbow.
Closer to the midline of the body or a body part; on the inner side.
Examples: The ear is medial to the shoulder; the index finger is medial to the thumb.
Farther away from the midline of the body or a body part; on the outer side.
Examples: The shoulder is lateral to the chest; the thumb is lateral to the index finger.
Closer to the surface of the body.
Examples: The skin is superficial to the muscle; muscle is superficial to bone.
Farther below the surface of the body.
Examples: Bone is deep to the skin; bone is deep to muscle.