Anatomy directional terms

• Nearer to or at the front of the body ex. sternum is anterior to the heart
• In some cases this may refer to the lower part of an animal

• Nearer to or at the back of the body ex. esophagus is posterior to the trachea
• In some cases, it may refer to the top part of an animals body

Toward the head or the upper part of a structure; generally refers to structures in the trunk. ex. stomach is inferior to the lung. inferior vena cava

Nearer to the midline of the body or a structure ex. ulna is on the medial side of the forearm

Away from the midline of the body ex. the lungs are lateral to the heart

On the same side of the body ex. gall bladder and ascending colon of the large intestine are ipsilateral

On the opposite side of the boddy ex. ascending and descending colons of the large intestine or contralateral

Nearer to the attachment of an extremity to the trunk or structure ex. femur (thigh bone) is proximal to the tibia (shin bone)

Farther from the attachment of an extremity to the trunk of a structure. ex. phalanges (finger/toe bones) are distal to the carpals (wrist bones)

toward the surface of the body

Away from the surface of the body ex. ribs are deep to the skin of the chest