Anatomical planes and directional terms

Question 1

transverse plane

Answer 1

horizontal through the centre of the body, separating the top and bottom halves

Question 2

sagittal plane

Answer 2

vertically down the centre of the body, with an arm and leg either side

Question 3

coronal / frontal plane

Answer 3

vertically down the centre of the body, separating the frontside and backside of the body

Question 4

anterior/ ventral

Answer 4

front

Question 5

dorsal/ posterior

Answer 5

back

Question 6

proximal

Answer 6

closer to the centre of the body (moving vertically)

Question 7

distal

Answer 7

farther from the centre of the body (moving vertically)

Question 8

medial

Answer 8

closer to the central line of the body (moving horizontally)

Question 9

flexion

Answer 9

decrease the angle between bones (bending)

Question 10

lateral

Answer 10

farther from the central line of the body (moving horizontally)

Question 11

extension

Answer 11

increase the angle between bones (e.g. opening arm )

Question 12

abduction

Answer 12

move away from the midline

Question 12

adduction

Answer 12

move toward the midline

Question 13

rotation

Answer 13

pivoting back and forth

Question 14

gliding

Answer 14

surfaces moving against eachother

Question 15

elevation

Answer 15

move up

Question 16

depression

Answer 16

move down

Question 17

protraction

Answer 17

bring forward