Body anatomy

• Directional terms

  1. Superior means towards the upper part of the body

  2. Inferior means towards the lower part of the body

  3. Anterior means nearer to or at the front of the body

  4. Posterior means nearer to or at the back of the body

  5. Medial means nearer to the midline

  6. Lateral means farther from the midline

  7. Intermediate means between two structures

  8. Ipsilateral means on the same side of the body as another structure

  9. Contralateral means on the opposite side of the body from another structure

  10. Proximal means nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk

  11. Distal means farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk

  12. Superficial means towards or on the surface of the body

  13. Deep means away from the surface of the body
• Directional terms

  • The heart is superior to the liver
  • The stomach is inferior to the lungs
  • The sternum (breastbone) is anterior to the heart
  • The oesophagus (food tube) is posterior to the trachea (windpipe)
  • The ulna is medial to the radius
  • The lungs are lateral to the heart
  • The transverse colon is intermediate to the ascending and descending colons
  • The gall bladder and ascending colon are ipsilateral
  • The ascending and descending colons are contralateral
  • The humerus (arm bone) is proximal to the radius
  • The phalanges (finger bones) are distal to the carpals (wrist bones)
  • The ribs are superficial to the lungs
  • The ribs are deep to the skin of the chest and back
• The terms posterior and dorsal mean the same thing in humans
• In four-legged animals, dorsal refers to the back on each side, where the trunk attaches to the thighs
• Parts of the upper limb


  • Armpit
  • Arm
  • Front of elbow
  • Forearm
  • Wrist
  • Palm
  • Fingers
• Parts of the lower limb

  • Buttock
  • Thigh
  • Leg
  • Ankle
  • Foot
• Body regions

  • Head
  • Neck
  • Armpit
  • Arm
  • Front of elbow
  • Forearm
  • Wrist
  • Palm
  • Fingers
  • Knee
  • Foot
  • Thigh
  • Face
  • Chest
  • Abdomen
  • Pelvis
  • Forehead
  • Temple
  • Eye
  • Ear
  • Cheek
  • Nose
  • Mouth
  • Chin
  • Breastbone
  • Breast
  • Navel
  • Hip
  • Hand
  • Groin
  • Thumb
  • Top of foot
  • Great toe
  • Base of skull
  • Shoulder blade
  • Spinal column
  • Back of elbow
  • Between hips
  • Buttock
  • Region of anus and external genitals
  • Hollow behind knee
  • Calf
  • Sole
  • Heel
• Defining one standard anatomical position is useful for consistency and clarity in anatomical descriptions and communication