Anatomical directional terms

Question 1

Anterior

Answer 1

At or near the front of the body (front view)

Question 2

Posterior

Answer 2

At or near the back of the body (back view)

Question 3

Midline

Answer 3

An imaginary vertical line that divides the body equally (right down the middle)

Question 4

lateral

Answer 4

Farther from midline (side view)

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Nearer to midline (side view)

Question 6

Superior

Answer 6

Toward the head/upper part of a structure (bird’s-eye view, looking down)

Question 7

Inferior

Answer 7

Away from the head/lower part of a structure (bottom view, looking up)

Question 8

Superficial

Answer 8

Close to the surface of the body

Question 9

Deep

Answer 9

Away from the surface of the body

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

Nearer to the origination of a structure

Question 11

distal

Answer 11

Farther from the origination of a structure