Anatomical Terminology
Unit 3 Synopsis
In the scientific and medical fields, it is essential that people have a language to describe directions, locations on the body, and specific actions. In this unit, we will focus on directional terminology and general bodily locations
Class Notes
Worksheet
Anatomical Position
Person standing up with feet slightly apart and arms at their sides with palms out.
This is the standard position used for reference
Important: the right and left are from the perspective of the person you are talking about.
Axial: head, neck, and trunk
Appendicular: appendages
Directional Terms
Superior (Cranial): toward the upper part; above
e.g. the chin is superior to the abdomen
Inferior (caudal): away from the upper part, toward the lower part; below
e.g. the knees are inferior to the navel
Anterior: toward the front of the body, in front of
e.g. the chin is anterior to the spine
Ventral: toward the belly
e.g. the stomach is ventral to the spinal cord
Medial: toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side
e.g. the heart is medial to the arm
Lateral: away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of
e.g. the arms are lateral to the chest
Intermediate: in between
e.g. the sternum is intermediate to the ribs
Proximal: closer to the point where a limb attaches to the body trunk
e.g. the elbow is proximal to the wrist
Distal: farther from the point of attachment of a limb
e.g. the toes are distal to the knee
Superficial (external): toward or at the body surface
e.g. the skin is superficial to the bones
Deep (internal): away from the body surface
e.g. the heart is deep to the ribcage