Anatomical Terminology

Anterior: Toward the front

Posterior: Toward the back

Superior: Toward the head

Inferior: Away from the head

Medial: Toward the midline of the body

Lateral: Away from the midline of the body

Proximal: Toward the attached end of the limb, or midline of body

Distal: Away from the attached end of the limb, or midline of the body

Superficial: External, located close to the body's surface

Deep: Internal, located futher beneath the body's surface than the superficial

Cervical: Regional term for the neck

Thoracic: Regional term for the chest area

Lumbar: Regional term referring to the abdomen and pelvis

Plantar: Sole or bottom of feet

Dorsal: Top surface of foot or hands

Palmar: Anterior or ventral surface of hands

Sagittal Place: A longitudinal line that divides the body into left and right

Frontal Plane: A longitudinal line that divides the body into front and back

Transverse: A horizontal line that divides the body into top and bottom sections

Anthro: joint
Bi: two
Brachium: arm
Cardio: heart
Cephalo: head
Chondro: cartilage
Costo: rib
Dermo: skin
Hemo: blood
Ilio: ilum (Pelvic)
Myo: muscle
Osteo: bone
Pulmo: lung
Thoraco: chest
Tri: three