1. Positional and Directional Terms
By:
Stephanie Tarlowe
Block B

2. Why Use These?
Just like when looking at a map, the body has directions
Instead of North, South, East, and West, you use the terms covered in this presentation
These terms are used in surgery, x-rays, dissections, and many other medical procedures

3. Back or Belly Dorsal Ventral From the Latin “dorsum” Toward the back
From the Latin “venter”
Toward the belly

4. Example
Fish have both dorsal and ventral fins

5. Head or Tail (Above the knee from belly to back)
Cranial
Closer to the cranium (skull)
Caudal
Closer to the tail
Rostral
On the head
Closer to the nose

6. <-- Caudal Cranial -->
Rostral -->

7. Front or Back Anterior Posterior In front of Front Behind After
Following
Toward the rear

8. <-- Anterior Posterior -->

9. On a Limb (Side View) Proximal Distal Toward the attached end of limb
Closer to body
Distal
Toward free end of limb
Further from body

11. On a Limb (Front View) Axial Abaxial Toward the axis (middle)
Away from the axis

12. A=Axial
B&C=Abaxial

13. Front and Back of Limbs On the front lower limbs:
Dorsal replaces cranial
Palmar replaces caudal
On the rear lower limbs:
Plantar replaces caudal

15. Above or Below
Superior
Above
Over
Inferior
Below
Under