Anatomical Orientations

Question 1

Describe the Anatomical Position

Answer 1

Standing
Facing anteriorly
Palms of hands facing anteriorly.
Feet together
Toes pointing anteriorly.
Upper Limbs by side
Face and eyes looking anteriorly.

Question 2

Supine

Answer 2

Lying on back

Question 3

Prone

Answer 3

Lying face down

Question 4

Anterior

Answer 4

Nearer front of body

Question 5

Posterior

Answer 5

Nearer back of body

Question 6

Superior/Cranial

Answer 6

Nearer top of head

Question 7

Inferior/Caudal

Answer 7

Nearer the soles of feet

Question 8

Medial

Answer 8

Nearer midline

Question 9

Lateral

Answer 9

Further from midline

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

Nearer attachment of limb

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

Further from attachment of limb

Question 12

Superficial

Answer 12

Nearer surface of body

Question 13

Deep

Answer 13

Further from surface of body

Question 14

External

Answer 14

Further from centre of body/organ

Question 15

Internal

Answer 15

Nearer centre of body/organ

Question 16

Dorsal

Answer 16

Back

Question 17

Ventral

Answer 17

Front

Question 18

Major

Answer 18

Relatively larger structure

Question 19

Minor

Answer 19

Relatively smaller structure

Question 20

Wrist

Answer 20

Posterior surface

Volar (anterior surface)

Question 21

Hand

Answer 21

Posterior surface

Palmar (anterior surface)

Question 22

Tongue

Answer 22

Posterior surface

Ventral (anterior surface)

Question 23

Foot

Answer 23

Superior surface

Plantar (inferior surface)

Question 24

Unilateral

Answer 24

Structure normally found only on one side of the body

Question 25

Bilateral

Answer 25

Paired structures

Question 26

Ipsilateral

Answer 26

Structure lies on the same side as the other structure or location its being compared to

Question 27

Contralateral

Answer 27

Structure lies on the opposite side of the other structure or location its being compared to.

Question 28

Flexion

Answer 28

Decreases the angle between bones at a joint

Question 29

Extension

Answer 29

Increasing the angle between bones at a joint

Question 30

Abduction

Answer 30

Movement away from the median plane

Question 31

Adduction

Answer 31

Movement towards the median plane

Question 32

Medial Rotation

Answer 32

Anterior surface of a limb rotates towards the median plane

Question 33

Lateral Rotation

Answer 33

Anterior surface of a limb rotates away from the median plane

Question 34

Circumduction

Answer 34

Circular motion at a joint

Question 35

Eversion

Answer 35

Sole of foot rotates away from the median plane such that the sole faces laterally

Question 36

Inversion

Answer 36

Sole of the foot rotates towards the median plane such that the sole faces medially

Question 37

Semi-prone

Answer 37

Forearm and hand midway between supine and prone positions

Question 38

Elevation

Answer 38

Superior movement e.g. shoulders

Question 39

Depression

Answer 39

Inferior movement e.g. shoulders

Question 40

Protraction

Answer 40

Anterior movement e.g. shoulder

Question 41

Retraction

Answer 41

Posterior movement e.g. shoulder