Head and Neck Anatomy: Part I – Bony Structures
Glossary of Directional Terms

anterior – Towards the front of the body.

deep/internal – Away from the surface of the body.

distal – Towards the end of a structure.

inferior – Towards the ground.

lateral – The direction from the midline to the outer border of the body.

medial – The direction from the outer border of the body towards the midline.

posterior – Towards the back of the body.

proximal – Towards the beginning of a structure.

superficial/external – Towards the surface of the body.

superior – Towards the sky.