Anatomical Position And Directional Terms - Anatomical Terms - Directional Terms Anatomy

anatomical directional terms a directional language of anatomy exists in order to minimize confusion when discussing areas or specific points on the body this directional language or terminology is used in reference to the anatomical position the anatomical position is when a person stands erect face pointing forward arms at the sides palms facing forward and feet also

pointing forward if everyone is looking at the body in the exact same position there will be less confusion when discussing anything related to anatomy we're gonna start with superior and inferior superior means toward the HUD but it can also mean upper or above inferior means toward the feet but it can also mean lower or below so we would

say that the heart is located superior to the small intestine or we could say the small intestine is located inferior to the heart next is anterior and posterior anterior means further to the front or in front of posterior means further to the back or in back of so we would say the sternum is anterior to the

heart and the heart is posterior to the sternum sometimes the terms ventral and dorsal are used in place of anterior and posterior where ventral means anterior and dorsal means posterior anterior and posterior can also be used to describe how you're looking at the body while the body will always be referenced from the

anatomical position it can be viewed from an anterior view meaning looking at the body from the front and it can also be viewed from the posterior view meaning looking at it from the back medial and lateral are another set of directional terms medial means toward the midline of the body and lateral means toward the side of the body or