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