Anatomic Directions and Planes

Question 1

Anterior or ventral

Answer 1

Toward the front

Question 2

Posterior or dorsal

Answer 2

Toward the back

Question 3

Superior or cranial

Answer 3

Toward the head

Question 4

Inferior or caudal

Answer 4

Away from the head

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Toward the midline

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Away from the midline

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

Near the point of origin

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

Away from the point of origin

Question 9

Sagittal Plane

Answer 9

Vertical plane running from anterior to posterior locations. Dividing the structure into right and left sides.

Question 10

(Median) Midsagittal Plane

Answer 10

A sagittal plane through the midline. Dividing the structure into right and left halves.

Question 11

Coronal or frontal plane

Answer 11

Vertical plane running from side to side, dividing the structure into anterior and posterior parts.

Question 12

Transverse plane

Answer 12

Horizontal plane dividing the structure into superior and inferior parts.

Question 13

Anatomic position

Answer 13

Patient standing upright.
Head, eye gaze, and toes are all directed forward.
Arms are relaxed and to the side with palms facing forward.
Lower limbs are close together with the feet parallel.

Question 14

Supine

Answer 14

Laying down, face upward.

Question 15

Prone

Answer 15

Face downward.

Question 16

External

Answer 16

Farther from the center of an organ.

Question 17

Internal

Answer 17

Nearer the center of an organ.

Question 18

Rostral

Answer 18

Often used instead of anterior when describing parts of the brain…towards the beak.

Question 19

Bilateral

Answer 19

Referring to paired structures

Question 20

Unilateral

Answer 20

Occurring on one side only.

Question 21

Ipsilateral

Answer 21

Occurring on the same side of the body as another structure.

Question 22

Contralateral

Answer 22

Occurring on the opposite side of the body relative to another structure.

Question 23

Abduction

Answer 23

Moving away from the median plane in the frontal plane.

Question 24

Adduction

Answer 24

Moving toward the median plane in the frontal plane.

Question 25

Elevation

Answer 25

Moving a body part superiorly.

Question 26

Depression

Answer 26

Moving a body part inferiorly.

Question 27

What are the 2 principal planes of the eye?

Answer 27

Equatorial plane and Meridional plane.

Question 28

Equatorial plane

Answer 28

lies midway between the anterior and posterior poles of the eye and is perpendicular to the meridional plane.

Question 29

Meridional plane

Answer 29

passes through the anterior and posterior poles of the eye. The meridional plane may be horizontal, vertical or oblique; however it must intersect the anterior and posterior poles.

Sagittal planes are parallel to meridional planes but do not pass through the anterior and posterior poles.

Question 30

Sclerad

Answer 30

Towards the sclera.

Question 31

Vitread

Answer 31

Towards the vitreous humor.