Directional Terms for Human body
Superior (cranial): Towards the head end or upper part of an structure e.g. the
shoulder is superior to elbow joint
This is also the cephalic direction
Inferior (caudal): Away from the head
end or lower part of an structure
e.g. the knee is inferior to the hip joint
Cranial: Towards head
Caudal: Towards tail end
Anterior (ventral): Towards front of the
body;
in front of
e.g. umbilicus is present on the anterior
aspect of abdominal wall
Posterior (dorsal): Towards or at the
back of the body; behind
e.g. vertebral column is posterior to the sternum
Superior (cranial): Towards the head end or upper part of an structure e.g. the
shoulder is superior to elbow joint
This is also the cephalic direction
Inferior (caudal): Away from the head
end or lower part of an structure
e.g. the knee is inferior to the hip joint
Cranial: Towards head
Caudal: Towards tail end
Anterior (ventral): Towards front of the
body;
in front of
e.g. umbilicus is present on the anterior
aspect of abdominal wall
Posterior (dorsal): Towards or at the
back of the body; behind
e.g. vertebral column is posterior to the sternum
