In anatomical terms, what does "caudal" refer to?

The term "caudal" in anatomical terminology indicates a position toward the tail or the lower part of the body. This directional term is derived from the Latin word "cauda," meaning tail. It is commonly used in describing the relative position of body structures in relation to one another, particularly in animals and in human anatomy when discussing regions of the body.

For example, when referencing the location of the sacrum, one might describe it as being caudal to the lumbar vertebrae since it is located towards the lower end of the vertebral column. Understanding this term helps in accurately conveying location and orientation of anatomical structures in relation to the whole body.