Medical Abbreviations-DIRECTIONS

TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS US
TO DESCRIBE DIRECTIONS, PLAN
AND CAVITIES OF THE BODY
UNIT-II
Gazala Noo
Lecture
Faculty of Pharmac

, Directional Terms
• Medial describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.
• Anterior (or ventral) describes the front or direction toward the front of the body
toes are anterior to the foot.
Posterior (or dorsal) describes the back or direction toward the back of the body
spine is the posterior portion of the human body.
Superior (or cranial) describes a position above or higher than another part of th
body. Refers to the structure being closer to the head.
• Inferior (or caudal) describes a position below or lower than another part of the
The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.
• Lateral describes the side or direction that is away from the midline.

, Directional Terms

• Proximal describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of
attachment or the trunk of the body. The brachium is proximal to the
antebrachium.
• Distal describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of
attachment or the trunk of the body.
• Superficial describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The sk
is superficial to the bones.
Deep describes a position farther from the surface of the body. The brain
deep into the skull.