Anatomical Directional Terms

Purpose of Directional Terms

• Directional language in anatomy minimizes confusion when discussing specific points on the body.
• This language is based on the anatomical position:
  • Person stands erect.
  • Face and feet pointing forward.
  • Arms at the sides with palms facing forward.

Key Directional Terms

Superior and Inferior

• Superior:
  • Towards the head.
  • Can also mean upper or above.
• Inferior:
  • Towards the feet.
  • Can also mean lower or below.
• Example:
  • Heart is superior to the small intestine.
  • Small intestine is inferior to the heart.

Anterior and Posterior

• Anterior:
  • Further to the front.
  • In front of.
• Posterior:
  • Further to the back.
  • In back of.
• Ventral and Dorsal are sometimes used:
  • Ventral = Anterior.
  • Dorsal = Posterior.
• Example:
  • Sternum is anterior to the heart.
  • Heart is posterior to the sternum.
• Views:
  • Anterior view: Looking at the body from the front.
  • Posterior view: Looking at the body from the back.

Medial and Lateral

• Medial:
  • Toward the midline of the body.
• Lateral:
  • Toward the side of the body.
  • Away from the midline of the body.
• Example:
  • Heart lies medial to the lungs.
  • Lungs lie lateral to the heart.
• Lateral view: Looking at the body from the side.

Proximal and Distal

• Used for describing parts of the appendicular body (limbs and appendages):
  • Axial body: Head, neck, and trunk.
  • Appendicular body: Limbs or appendages.
• Proximal:
  • Closer to the axial body.
  • Toward the trunk of the body.
• Distal:
  • Further from the axial body.
  • Further from the trunk of the body.
• Example:
  • Thigh is proximal to the foot.
  • Foot is distal to the thigh.

Superficial and Deep

• Superficial:
  • Closer to the surface of the body.
• Deep:
  • Further away from the surface of the body.
• Example:
  • Sternum is superficial to the lungs.
  • Lungs are deep to the sternum.
• Considerations:
  • Applicable when viewed from the front or anterior view in anatomical position.