Neuroanatomical Directional Terms
Neuraxis
Imaginary line that runs rostro-caudally throughout the length of the brain and
spinal cord
Rostral
Caudal
Toward the beak (nose)
Toward the tail
Dorsal
Ventral
Toward the back
Toward the belly
Medial
Lateral
Toward the midline
Away from the midline
Superior
Inferior
Above
Below
Anterior
Posterior
Toward the front
Toward the rear
Proximal
Distal
Near a point of reference
Far from a point of reference
Afferent
Efferent
Projecting toward
Projecting away from
Ipsilateral
Contralateral
On the same side as
On the opposite side from
Planes of Section
Coronal or frontal brain section parallel to face; perpendular to the ground and perpendicular
to the neuraxis (reserved for brain)
Sagittal
parallel to the plane of symmetry; perpendicular to the ground and parallel
to the neuraxis (applies to brain and spinal cord)
Horizontal
parallel to the ground and parallel to the neuraxis (reserved for brain)
Transverse
spinal cord)
any section perpendicular to the neuraxis (usually used in reference to the