Anterior (ventral)
Toward or at the front (belly) of the body
Posterior (dorsal)
Toward or at the back (dorsum) of the body
Medial
Toward the midline of the body
Lateral
Toward the side of the body
Proximal
Nearer to the point of attachment or to a given reference point
Distal
Farther from the point of attachment or from a given reference point
Superior
Above, in a higher position
Inferior
Below, in a lower position
Cranial (cephalad)
Toward the head
Caudal
Toward the lower end of the spine; in humans, in an inferior direction
Superficial (external)
Closer to the surface of the body
Deep (internal)
Closer to the center of the body
Frontal plane
Plane that separates body into anterior and posterior planes
Anatomic position
Standard position for anatomic studies. Standing facing forward arms forward and at sides. Feet parallel
Sagittal plane
Plane that divides body into left and right portions
Transverse (horizontal) plane
Plane that divides body into superior and inferior portions.
Cepahal/o
Head
Cervic/o
Neck
Thorac/o
Chest, thorax
Abdomin/o
Abdomen
Celi/o
Abdomen
Lapar/o
Abdominal wall
Lumb/o
Lumbar region, lower back
Periton, peritone/o
Peritoneum
Acro
Extremity, end
Brachi/o
Arm
Dactyl/o
Finger, toe
Ped/o
Foot
Pod/o
Foot
Circum-o
Around
Peri-o
Around
Intra-
In, within
Epi-
On, over
Extra-
Outside
Infra
Below
Sub
Below, under
Inter-
Between
Juxta-
Near, beside
Para-
Near, beside
Retro-
Behind, backward
Supra-
Above
Digit
Finger or toe
Fundus
Base or body of a hollow organ, area farthest from its opening
Lumen
Central opening of a tube or hollow organ
Meatus
A passage or opening
Orifice
Opening of a cavity
Os
Mouth, any body opening
Septum
A wall dividing two cavities
Sinus
A cavity, as within a bone
Sphincter
Circular muscle that regulates an opening