A&p Chapter 1

Front 1

superior (cranial)

Back 1

toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

Front 2

inferior (caudal)

Back 2

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

Front 3

dorsal (posterior)

Back 3

toward or at the back of the body; behind.
E.g.: the heart is posterior to the breastbone.

Front 4

medial

Back 4

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of
e.g.: the arms are lateral to the chest.

Front 5

lateral

Back 5

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of
e.g.: the arms are lateral to the chest.

Front 6

proximal

Back 6

closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.
e.g.: the elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Front 7

distal

Back 7

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.
e.g.: the knee is distal to the thigh.

Front 8

sagittal

Back 8

divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

Front 9

frontal (coronal)

Back 9

divides body into anterior and posterior parts

Front 10

transverse

Back 10

divides body into superior and inferior parts; also called cross section