What are they? These terms are used to explain where parts of the body are in relation to others.

Anterior or Ventral Refers to the front or the abdomen side of the body

Posterior or Dorsal Refers to the back side of

Superior Toward or near the head

Inferior Away from the head or toward the feet

Proximal More toward the trunk of the body

Distal More away from the trunk (toward the outer limbs)

Medial Toward or near the midline

Lateral Away from the midline of the body

Deep Further under the skin (toward the bone)

Superficial More toward the surface

Body Planes Coronal or frontal plane separates the anterior from the posterior The sagittal plane separates the left side from the right side The transverse plane separates the top half from the bottom half