1. Anatomical Directional Terms

2. Anterior (ventral): In front of, toward the front, toward the belly Posterior (dorsal): Behind, toward the back

3. Distal: Away from, farther from the origin (either the trunk of the body or a specified location) Proximal: Near, closer to the origin Superior: Above another part of the body Inferior: Below another part of the body

4. Lateral: Toward the side, away from the mid-line Medial: Toward the mid-line (middle) away from the side Superficial: near the surface (also, peripheral) Deep: more internal parts

5. Bilateral: paired organs, one on each side of the midline Ipsilateral: structure on the same side of the midline Contralateral: structure on the same side of the midline

6. Planes Lateral Plane / Sagittal Plane: divides the body into right and left regions. – Median or Midsagittal Plane: Sagittal plane that divides the body into equal right and left regions. – Parasagittal Plane: Sagittal plane that divides the body into unequal right and left regions. Frontal Plane / Coronal Plane: divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) regions. Transverse/Axial Plane: divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) regions.

8. Anatomical Terms Practice