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
