Anatomical terms provide a precise way to describe locations on the body. Vague descriptions like 'something on my stomach' are unhelpful, while specific anatomical terms, such as '2 cm superior to her navel,' allow for exact identification of features.

The anatomical position is the international standard for describing body structures: standing upright, arms at sides, palms facing forwards, and feet together. All anatomical terms should always be applied to a person in this position, regardless of their actual orientation.

When using 'left' and 'right,' it refers to the left and right sides of the person in the anatomical position, not the observer's left and right. For example, if looking at a person, their right side is on your left.

Anterior means the front of the body (also called ventral), and posterior means the back of the body (also called dorsal). Examples include the navel being anterior and the heel being posterior to the toes.

Superior means above or towards the head, while inferior means below or towards the feet. For instance, the head is superior to the neck, and the feet are inferior to the knees.

These terms are only used for points on the same limb (arm or leg). Proximal means closer to where the limb attaches to the body, and distal means further away from the attachment point. For example, the knee is proximal to the ankle, and the wrist is distal to the elbow.

Medial refers to any point closer to the imaginary midline of the body, which divides it vertically in half. Lateral refers to any point further away from the midline. An example is the thumb being lateral to the little finger.

To observe internal structures, the body can be cut into 'slices' or planes. The main planes are: sagittal (divides body into left and right, can be midsagittal or parasagittal), frontal (divides into anterior and posterior), and transverse (divides into superior and inferior). An oblique plane passes at an angle. Recognizing these planes is crucial for interpreting internal anatomy.