Directional Terms Anatomy

toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above. Examples: the shoulder is superior to the naval. the nose is superior to the chin.

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below. Examples: the naval is inferior to the chin. the breast bone is superior to the nose.

toward or at the front of the body; in front of. Examples: the heart is anterior to the spine. the breastbone is anterior to the lungs.

toward or at the backside of the body; behind. Examples: the spine is posterior to the breastbone. the spine is posterior to the heart

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of. Examples: the breastbone is medial to the arm. the spine is medial to the leg.

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of. Examples: the arms are lateral to the heart. the shoulders are lateral to the breastbone.

close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk. Examples: the wrist is proximal to the digits. the shoulder is proximal to the elbow

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk. Examples: the ankle is distal to the knee. the wrist is distal to the elbow.

between a more medial and a more lateral structure. Examples: the heart is intermediate between the breastbone and shoulder. the middle toe is intermediate between the second and fourth toes.

toward or at the body surface. Examples: the ribs are superficial to the lungs. the skin is superficial to the ribs.