Anatomy Regional and Directional Terms

Anatomical Directional Terms

• Superior: Relates to a position higher than another part of the body; towards the head.
• Inferior: Denotes a position lower than another part of the body; towards the feet.
• Anterior: Indicates a location towards the front of the body; synonymous with ventral.
• Posterior: Refers to a position towards the back of the body; synonymous with dorsal.
• Medial: Describes a position closer to the midline of the body.
• Lateral: Indicates a position further away from the midline; towards the sides of the body.
• Intermediate: Refers to a location between a more medial and a more lateral structure.
• Proximal: Identifies a position closer to the origin of a body part or point of attachment.
• Distal: Indicates a position farther from the origin of a body part or point of attachment.

Body Surface and Depth Terminology

• Superficial: Relates to structures closer to the surface of the body.
• Deep: Indicates a position further away from the surface; more internal.

Regional Body Terms

• Frontal: Pertains to the forehead region.
• Orbital: Relates to the eye area.
• Nasal: Refers to the nose region.
• Oral: Pertains to the mouth region.
• Mental: Relates to the chin area.
• Cervical: Refers to the neck region.
• Sternal: Denotes the breastbone area.
• Axillary: Pertains to the armpit region.
• Mammary: Relates to the breast area.
• Umbilical: Refers to the navel area.
• Inguinal: Pertains to the groin region.
• Acromial: Relates to the point of the shoulder.

Upper Limb Terminology

• Brachial: Pertains to the arm.
• Olecranial: Relates to the back of the elbow.
• Antebrachial: Refers to the forearm.
• Carpal: Pertains to the wrist.
• Pollex: Refers to the thumb.
• Metacarpal: Indicates the bones located between the carpal bones and the digits.
• Palmar: Relates to the palm of the hand.
• Digital: Pertains to the fingers and toes.

Lower Limb Terminology

• Coxal: Refers to the hip region.
• Femoral: Pertains to the thigh.
• Patellar: Relates to the anterior part of the knee.
• Popliteal: Refers to the back of the knee.
• Crural: Pertains to the leg.
• Sural: Indicates the calf area.
• Fibular/Peroneal: Refers to the side of the leg.
• Tarsal: Pertains to the ankle.
• Calcaneal: Relates to the heel.
• Metatarsal: Refers to the bones located between the ankle and toes.
• Digital: Pertains to the toes.
• Plantar: Relates to the sole of the foot.
• Hallux: Refers to the great toe.

Head and Trunk Terminology

• Otic: Pertains to the ear area.
• Occipital: Refers to the back of the head or base of the skull.
• Scapular: Relates to the shoulder blade area.
• Vertebral: Pertains to the spinal column.
• Lumbar: Refers to the loin area.
• Sacral: Relates to the region between the hips.
• Gluteal: Refers to the buttock area.
• Perineal: Pertains to the region between the anus and external genitalia.