Anatomical Position and Directions

Anatomical Position and Directional Terms

Terms and Nomenclature

Anatomical Position: Standard Body Position. Body Erect/ Feet Slightly Apart/ Palms facing forward and thumbs pointing away from the body.

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 or Ventral: Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Posterior or Dorsal: Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

Medial: 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.

Superficial: Toward or at the body surface.

Deep: Away from the body surface; more internal.

Proximal: Closer in the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

*Refers to the appendages only

Distal: Farther from the origin of a body part of the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk. *Refers to the appendages only

Volar: Palmar surface of the hand/plantar surface of the foot.

Dorsum: Top of the hands/feet

Afferent: Going Towards.

Efferent: Going away from.

Axial Part: Trunk- head, neck, and torso

Appendicular Part: Appendages or Limbs

Diagrams/ Illustrations/ and Images