Anatomical Terms of Orientation

• SUPERIOR


  toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body, above
• INFERIOR


  away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body, below
• Anterior 


  Toward or at the front of the body; in front of
• POSTERIOR


  toward or at the backside of the body; behind
• MEDICAL


  toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of
• LATERAL


  away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of
• INTERMEDIATE


  between a more medial and a more lateral structure
• PROXIMAL 


  close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
• DISTAL


  farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
• SUPERFICIAL 


  toward or at the body surface
• DEEP


  away from the body surface; more internal