Anatomical Positions

Question 1

Superior ( Cranial )

Answer 1

Towards the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above
Ex. The head is superior to the abdomen

Question 2

Inferior (caudal)

Answer 2

away from the head end or towards the lower part of a structure of the body; below
Ex. The navel is inferior to the chin

Question 3

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 3

Towards the front of the body; in front of

Ex. The breastbone is anterior to the chin

Question 4

Posterior ( Dorsal)

Answer 4

Towards the back of the body; behind

Ex. The heart is posterior to the breastbone

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

towards the midline of the body; on the outer side

Ex. The heart is medial to the arm

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side

Ex. The arms are lateral to the chest

Question 7

Intermediate

Answer 7

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

Ex. The collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and shoulder.

Question 8

Proximal

Answer 8

closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Ex. The elbow is proximal to the wrist

Question 9

Distal

Answer 9

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Ex. The Knee is distal to the thigh

Question 10

Superficial

Answer 10

towards the body surface

Ex. The skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles

Question 11

Deep

Answer 11

away from the body surface; more internal

Ex. the lungs are deep to the skin

Question 12

Bilateral

Answer 12

paired structures with one on each side

Question 13

Ipsilateral

Answer 13

structures on the same side

Question 14

Contralateral

Answer 14

structures on the opposite sides