ANATOMICAL DIRECTIONAL TERMS

ALF 20

Anatomical Position

Description:- Standing- Facing forward- Arms at sides- Palms facing

forward - Thumbs pointed

out

RememberAll Anatomical terms are based on the assumption that the body is in anatomical position

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of a structure

E.g. Your chest is superior to your waist.

Inferior

Away from head or lower part of a structure

E.g. My hips are inferior to my collar bone.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body

E.g. Your heel is posterior to your toes.

Anterior

Towards the front of the body

E.g. Your mouth is anterior to your ears.

Medial

Nearer to the midline. What is the midline?

Imagine a line running down the middle of your body. From the top of your head to your nose, mouth, center of your chest, belly button, and so on.

E.g. Your nose is medial to your ears.

Lateral

Farther away from the midline

E.g. Your ears are lateral to your nose.

Superficial

Toward the surface of the body

E.g. Your skin is superficial to your muscle.

Deep

Away from the surface of the body

E.g. Your bones are deep to your skin

Proximal

Closer to the body

*Different than medial. Usually only applies to your limbs.

E.g. Your elbow is proximal to your wrist.

Distal

Farther away from the body

• Different than Lateral. Usually only applies to your limbs.

• E.g. Your ankle is distal to your knee.

Supine

Lying on back

E.g. When performing a bench press you are supine.

Prone

Lying face down

E.g. When doing a push-up you are prone