Directional Terms Notes

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Directional Terms Notes
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ANATOMICAL POSITION

• standard reference position body is straight and
  standing, face forward, palms facing forward, and
  feet parallel

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DIRECTIONAL TERMS

• Superior (cephalic or cranial) toward the
  head, upper, or above
• Inferior (caudal) toward the feet, under or
  below
• Anterior (ventral) front, or in front of
• Posterior (dorsal) back or in back of

4

• Medial toward the midline of the
  body
• Lateral toward the side of the body or away
  from the midline
• Intermediate between two structures
• Ipsilateral on the same side of the body

5

• Contralateral on the opposite side of the body
• Proximal toward the trunk of the body or the
  point of origin of a body part.
• Distal away from the trunk of the body or the
  point of origin of a body part.

6

• Superficial toward the surface of the body
• Deep away from the body surface