1.2 Anatomical Directional Terms

Question 1

Direction: relative to front (belly side ) o back of body

Anterior :
Posterior:

Answer 1

In front of : towards the front surface ex. The stomach is anterior to the spinal cord

In the back of: towards the back surface ex. The ❤️ is posterior to drop he sternum

Question 2

Direction: relative to Front belly side or back side of the body

Dorsal:
Ventral:

Answer 2

• At the backside of the human body ex.The spinal cord is on the dorsal side of the body
• at the belly side of the human body ex. The umbilicus is on the ventral side of the body

Question 3

Direction: related to the head or tail of the body
Superior:
Inferior:
Caudal:
Cranial:
Rostral:

Answer 3

Closer to the head ex. The chest is superior to the pelvis
Closer to the feet ex.the stomach is inferior to the heart

At the rear Or tail end ex. The abdomen is caudal to the head
At the head end Ex. the head is cranial to the trunk
Towards the nose Ex. the frontal lobe is rostral to the occipital lobe

Question 4

Direction: relative to the midline or center of the body
Medial:

Lateral

Ipsilateral:

Contralateral :

Deep(internal)
Superficial (external)

Answer 4

• Towards the midline of the body ex. the lungs are medial to the shoulders
• Away from the midline of the body Ex. the arms are lateral to the heart
• On the same side Ex. the right arm is ipsilateral to the right leg
• On the opposite side Ex. the right arm is contralateral to the left leg

On the inside underneath another surface Ex. muscles are deep to the skin
On the outside Ex. the external edge of the kidney is superficial to it internal structure

Question 5

Direction:Relative to the point of attachment of the appendage

Proximal:
Distal:

Answer 5

-Closest to the point of attachment to the trunk Ex. the elbow is proximal to the hand
-For this from the point of attachment to trunk Ex. the wrist is distal to the elbow
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