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Superficial
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The term superficial is a directional term used to describe the position of one structure relative to the surface of the body or to another underlying structure.
The opposite of superficial is deep, which indicates that a structure is further away from the external surface of the body.
For example, skin lies superficial to muscles which indicates that skin is closer to the surface of the body when compared to muscles. However, it can also be said that the bones lie deep to the muscles.
| Terminology | English: Superficial Latin: Superficialis Synonyms: External |
| Examples | Superficial muscles of head, superficial part of parotid gland |
Learn all the anatomical terms and planes with the following study unit.
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