| Terms of Comparison &
Relationship The terms of relationship and comparison are
adjectives which help describe the relationship of the parts of the body to one another.
They are used to help avoid any ambiguity which may arise when the body is not in the
anatomical position. Descriptions which may be ambiguous include "above",
"below", "front", "back", etc. The table below lists some of
the commonly used terms.
| Term |
Meaning |
Example |
| Anterior |
Closer to the front |
The knee cap is on the anterior
side of the knee |
| Posterior |
Closer to the back |
The shoulder blades are
posterior to the ribs |
| Superior |
Closer to the head |
The heart is superior
to the stomach |
| Inferior |
Closer to the feet |
The chest is inferior
to the neck |
| Medial |
Closer to the midline |
The big toe is medial
to the 5th toe |
| Lateral |
Further from the
midline |
The thumb is on the lateral
side of the hand |
| Superficial |
Closer to the surface |
The skin is superficial
to muscle |
| Deep |
Further from the
surface |
The lungs are deep to
the ribs |
| Proximal |
Closer to the trunk |
The hip is proximal
to the knee |
| Distal |
Further from the trunk |
The wrist is distal
to the elbow |
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |