{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2017-02-27T20:32:25+00:00","modifiedTime":"2017-02-27T20:32:25+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:17:34+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Science","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33756"},"slug":"science","categoryId":33756},{"name":"Anatomy","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33757"},"slug":"anatomy","categoryId":33757}],"title":"Anatomical Terms","strippedTitle":"anatomical terms","slug":"anatomical-terms","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"When you're talking anatomy in a scientific way, everyday words such as front, back, side, above, and below just aren't precise enough. Instead use the terms in","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"When you're talking anatomy in a scientific way, everyday words such as <em>front, back, side, above,</em> and <em>below</em> just aren't precise enough. Instead use the terms in the following list:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Anterior or ventral:</strong> Toward the front of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Posterior or dorsal:</strong> Toward the back of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Superior:</strong> A part above another part</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Inferior:</strong> A part below another part</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Medial:</strong> Toward the <em>midline</em> (median plane) of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Lateral:</strong> Away from the midline of the body; toward the sides</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Proximal:</strong> Toward the point of attachment to the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Distal:</strong> Away from the point of attachment to the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Deep:</strong> Toward the inside of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Superficial:</strong> Toward the outside of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Parietal:</strong> A membrane that covers an internal body wall</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Visceral:</strong> A membrane that covers an organ</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAlso remember that right and left are that of the patient, not the observer.","description":"When you're talking anatomy in a scientific way, everyday words such as <em>front, back, side, above,</em> and <em>below</em> just aren't precise enough. Instead use the terms in the following list:\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Anterior or ventral:</strong> Toward the front of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Posterior or dorsal:</strong> Toward the back of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Superior:</strong> A part above another part</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Inferior:</strong> A part below another part</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Medial:</strong> Toward the <em>midline</em> (median plane) of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Lateral:</strong> Away from the midline of the body; toward the sides</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Proximal:</strong> Toward the point of attachment to the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Distal:</strong> Away from the point of attachment to the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Deep:</strong> Toward the inside of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Superficial:</strong> Toward the outside of the body</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Parietal:</strong> A membrane that covers an internal body wall</li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Visceral:</strong> A membrane that covers an organ</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nAlso remember that right and left are that of the patient, not the observer.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10193,"name":"Maggie A. Norris","slug":"maggie-norris","description":"Maggie Norris is a veteran science and medical writer.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10193"}},{"authorId":9774,"name":"Donna Rae Siegfried","slug":"donna-rae-siegfried","description":" <p><b>Maggie Norris</b> is a freelance science writer. <b>Donna Rae Siegfried</b> has instructed anatomy and physiology courses at the college level. They are the coauthors of <i>Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies, 2nd Edition.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9774"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33757,"title":"Anatomy","slug":"anatomy","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33757"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":[{"articleId":172026,"title":"Repurposing Items for Beautiful Holiday Decorating","slug":"decorating-for-the-holidays-with-what-you-already-have","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","crafts","gifts-holidays"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/172026"}},{"articleId":192609,"title":"How to Pray the Rosary: A Comprehensive Guide","slug":"how-to-pray-the-rosary","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/192609"}},{"articleId":193770,"title":"How to Play Rummy: All You Need to Know","slug":"rummy-understanding-the-rules-and-starting-a-game","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/193770"}},{"articleId":153792,"title":"Format Numbers in Thousands and Millions in Excel Reports","slug":"format-numbers-in-thousands-and-millions-in-excel-reports","categoryList":["technology","software","microsoft-products","excel"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/153792"}},{"articleId":147241,"title":"How to Use the Z-Table","slug":"how-to-use-the-z-table","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","statistics"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/147241"}}],"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":240485,"title":"9 Chemistry Concepts Related to Anatomy and Physiology","slug":"9-chemistry-concepts-related-anatomy-physiology","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/240485"}},{"articleId":240482,"title":"Programming Human Development","slug":"programming-human-development","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/240482"}},{"articleId":240476,"title":"Dividing Fetal Development into Trimesters","slug":"dividing-fetal-development-trimesters","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/240476"}},{"articleId":240473,"title":"Human Development before Birth","slug":"human-development-birth","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/240473"}},{"articleId":240470,"title":"Taxonomy of Homo Sapiens","slug":"taxonomy-homo-sapiens","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/240470"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":258561,"title":"What Your Blood Pressure Readings Can Tell You","slug":"what-your-blood-pressure-readings-can-tell-you","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/258561"}},{"articleId":256333,"title":"How Our Innate and Adaptive Defenses Protect Us","slug":"how-our-innate-and-adaptive-defenses-protect-us","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/256333"}},{"articleId":255784,"title":"4 Families of Organic Compounds with Important Biological Functions","slug":"4-families-of-organic-compounds-with-important-biological-functions-2","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/255784"}},{"articleId":255779,"title":"How Lymph Nodes Work","slug":"how-lymph-nodes-work","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/255779"}},{"articleId":255776,"title":"The Breathing Process","slug":"the-breathing-process","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/255776"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":281946,"slug":"anatomy-physiology-for-dummies-3rd-edition","isbn":"9781119345237","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119345235/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1119345235/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/1119345235-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119345235/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/1119345235/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/anatomy-and-physiology-for-dummies-3rd-edition-cover-9781119345237-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"11358\">Erin Odya </b>is an anatomy and physiology teacher at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, one of Indiana’s top schools.</p>\n<p><b data-author-id=\"35040\">Maggie Norris</b> is a freelance science writer living in the San Francisco Bay Area.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":11358,"name":"Erin Odya","slug":"erin-odya","description":" <p><b>Erin Odya</b> teaches Anatomy & Physiology at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, one of Indiana's top schools. She is also the author of <i>Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies.</i> <p><b>Pat DuPree</b> taught anatomy/physiology, biology, medical terminology, and environmental science. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/11358"}},{"authorId":35040,"name":"Maggie A. Norris","slug":"maggie-a-norris","description":" <p><b>Maggie Norris</b> is a freelance science writer. <b>Donna Rae Siegfried</b> has instructed anatomy and physiology courses at the college level. They are the coauthors of <i>Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies, 2nd Edition.</i> ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/35040"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9781119345237"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221abea96f3\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["academics-the-arts","science","anatomy"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9781119345237"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221abea9cdb\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Advance","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":234555},"articleLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{},"objectTitle":"","status":"initial","pageType":null,"objectId":null,"page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"initial","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2024-11-22T05:50:01+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'></div>\r\n","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":" <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":295890,"title":"Career Shifting","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/career-shifting-295890"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":299891,"title":"For the College Bound","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-college-bound-299891"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":301547,"title":"For the Game Day Prepper","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/big-game-day-prep-made-easy-301547"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article3","path":"/article/academics-the-arts/science/anatomy/anatomical-terms-234555/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"academics-the-arts","category2":"science","category3":"anatomy","article":"anatomical-terms-234555"},"fullPath":"/article/academics-the-arts/science/anatomy/anatomical-terms-234555/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}

Anatomical Terms

By: Maggie A. Norris and Donna Rae Siegfried and

Updated: 02-27-2017

From The Book: Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies

Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies

Explore Book Buy On Amazon

When you're talking anatomy in a scientific way, everyday words such as front, back, side, above, and below just aren't precise enough. Instead use the terms in the following list:

Anterior or ventral: Toward the front of the body
Posterior or dorsal: Toward the back of the body
Superior: A part above another part
Inferior: A part below another part
Medial: Toward the midline (median plane) of the body
Lateral: Away from the midline of the body; toward the sides
Proximal: Toward the point of attachment to the body
Distal: Away from the point of attachment to the body
Deep: Toward the inside of the body
Superficial: Toward the outside of the body
Parietal: A membrane that covers an internal body wall
Visceral: A membrane that covers an organ

Also remember that right and left are that of the patient, not the observer.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies ,

About the book authors:

Erin Odya is an anatomy and physiology teacher at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, one of Indiana’s top schools.

Maggie Norris is a freelance science writer living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This article can be found in the category:

Anatomy ,

Article Categories

Book Categories

Collections