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Anterior and Posterior

Fetal pig with anterior and posterior directions labeled

Anatomical reference terms may be confusing because they differ between pigs (four-legged) and upright, bipedal humans.

Toward the head: for the pig, anterior is used; for humans, superior is used. In either case, rostral may be used to mean toward the nose.

Toward the tail: for the pig, posterior is used; for humans, inferior is used (toward the feet). In either case, caudal may be used to mean toward the “tail end” of the animal.