Anatomic Terminology In The Anatomical Position

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

Above another structure (e.g, the heart is superior to the stomach)

Question 2

Above another structure

Answer 2

Superior

Question 3

Inferior

Answer 3

Below another structure (ex. The stomach is inferior to the heart)

Question 4

Below another structure

Answer 4

Inferior

Question 5

Anterior/ventral

Answer 5

Toward the front of the body (ex. The navel is anterior to the spine)

Question 6

Toward the front of the body

Answer 6

Anterior/ventral

Question 7

Posterior/dorsal

Answer 7

Toward the back of the body

Question 8

Toward the back of the body

Answer 8

Posterior/dorsal

Question 9

Medial

Answer 9

Toward the midline of the body - the sun midline divides the body into equal right and left sides (ex. The nose is medial to the eyes)

Question 10

Toward the midline of the body - the sun midline divides the body into equal right and left sides

Answer 10

Medial

Question 11

Lateral

Answer 11

Away from the midline of the body or toward the side of the body (e.g, the ears are lateral to the nose)

Question 12

Away from the midline of the body or toward the side of the body

Answer 12

Lateral

Question 13

Ipsilateral

Answer 13

On the same side of the body (ex. The spleen and descending colon are ipsilateral)

Question 14

On the same side of the body

Answer 14

Ipsilateral

Question 15

Contralateral

Answer 15

On opposite sides of the body (ex. The left and right lungs are contralateral)

Question 16

Intermediate

Answer 16

Between two structures (ex. The nose is intermediate between the eyes)

Question 17

On opposite sides of the body

Answer 17

Contralateral

Question 18

Between two structures

Answer 18

Intermediate

Question 19

Proximal

Answer 19

Closer to the point of attachment if a limb (ex. The elbow is proximal to the wrist)

Question 20

Closer to the point of attachment of a limb

Answer 20

Proximal

Question 21

Distal

Answer 21

Farther from the point of attachment of a limb (ex. The foot is distal to the knee)

Question 22

Farther from the point of attachment of a limb

Answer 22

Distal

Question 23

Superficial

Answer 23

Toward the surface of the body (ex. The skin is superficial to the muscle)

Question 24

Toward the surface of the body

Answer 24

Superficial

Question 25

Deep

Answer 25

Away from the surface of the body

Question 26

Away from the surface of the body

Answer 26

Deep

Question 27

Cranial/cephalic

Answer 27

Towards the head - similar to superior (ex. The neck is cranial/cephalic to the waist)

Question 28

Towards the head - similar to superior

Answer 28

Cranial/cephalic

Question 29

Caudal

Answer 29

Towards the feet - similar to inferior (ex. The ankles are caudal to the knees)

Question 30

Towards the feet - similar to inferior

Answer 30

Caudal