Anatomical orientation

Question 1

Superior and inferior

Answer 1

Superior = upper or above (towards head)
Inferior = lower or below (towards feet)

Question 2

Ventral (anterior) vs Dorsal (posterior

Answer 2

Ventral = in front of (brain or body)
Dorsal = in the back of (brain or body)

=> Animals that move horizontal, e.g. fish
Dorsal = back
Ventral = abdominal region

=> humans move upright
Dorsal = superior portion of brain
Ventral = inferior portion of brain

Question 3

Rostral and Caudral

Answer 3

=> animals that swim or walk on all fours
Rostral = towards nose
Caudral = towards tail

=> humans’ spinal cord
Rostral = toward head
Caudral = towards end of cord

=> brain
Rostral = toward anterior part
Caudral = posterior part

Question 4

Medial vs lateral

Answer 4

Medial = towards the midline (imaginary line that divides into left and right)

Lateral = toward the side of the body

Question 5

Proximal vs distal

Answer 5

… of reference in the nervous system
Proximal = closer to anatomical site
Distal = relatively further from the anatomical site