Basic anatomical direction terms
These terms are used when describing the position of a body part. For example: The lateral side of a leg is towards the outer surface, whereas the medial side is towards the inner surface or midline.
| Term | Direction |
|---|---|
| Cranial | Towards the head |
| Rostral | Towards the muzzle |
| Caudal | Towards the tail |
| Dorsal | Towards the back |
| Ventral | Towards the belly |
| Medial | Towards the midline |
| Lateral | Away from the midline |
| Proximal | Used for structures in limbs & tail = closer to the body |
| Distal | Used for structures in limbs & tail = further from the body |