Superior

Superior

Definition

Superior (or cranial, or rostral) means to the top or towards the head-end of the body.

Both superior (to the top) and inferior (to the bottom) describe location of structures along the vertical axis of the body. For example, the arms are superiorly situated as compared to the legs, which are inferiorly situated.

References

Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2023 IMAIOS.

  • Drake, R.L., Vogl, A.W. and Mitchell, A.W.M. (2009). ‘Chapter 1: The Body’ in Gray’s anatomy for Students. (2nd ed.) Philadelphia PA 19103-2899: Elsevier, pp. 6.

  • SEER Training Modules, Intro to the Human Body, Anatomical Terminology. U. S. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. February 2nd, 2023 < https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/body/terminology.html>