Anatomical Position
Anatomical Position: This is a specific anatomical reference position that refers to the body in a standing position, with the head and eyes forward, arms at sides with palms forward, and feet together and parallel.
In Practice:
The relative location of an anatomical structure may be described using anatomical directions (posterior , anterior , proximal , distal , etc.) that depend on the anatomical position as a frame of reference. For example, "the manubrium is the superior portion of the sternum (breast bone)." If the anatomical directions were not defined with the anatomical position as the standard frame of reference, then "superior" may refer only to "on top" and be dependent on body position. For example, what is "on top" of the sternum when lying face down (prone) would be the heart.
For more information on the anatomical directions, check out: