Anatomical Positions and Planes

Question 1

toward the front of the body

Answer 1

anterior (ventral)

Question 2

toward the back of the body

Answer 2

posterior (dorsal)

Question 3

toward the midline of the body

Answer 3

medial

Question 4

toward the side of the body

Answer 4

lateral

Question 5

nearer to the point of attachment or to a given reference point

Answer 5

proximal

Question 6

farther from the point of attachment or from a given reference point

Answer 6

distal

Question 7

above; toward the head

Answer 7

superior (cranial)

Question 8

below; toward the lower end of spine

Answer 8

inferior (caudal)

Question 9

closer to the surface of the body

Answer 9

superficial (external)

Question 10

closer to the center of the body

Answer 10

deep (internal)

Question 11

lying face up

Answer 11

supine

Question 12

lying face down

Answer 12

prone

Question 13

plane that cuts through the body from front to back and divides the body into right and left sections

Answer 13

sagittal plane

Question 14

plane that cuts the midline of the body from front to back and divides the body into EQUAL right and left sections

Answer 14

midsagittal plane

Question 15

plane that cuts at a right angle to the midline, from side to side, and divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections

Answer 15

frontal (coronal) plane

Question 16

plane that cuts horizontally through the body and separates the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections

Answer 16

transverse (horizontal) (axial) plane

Question 17

basic unit of all living things

Answer 17

cells

Question 18

a group of similar cells performing a specific task

Answer 18

tissues

Question 19

two or more kinds of tissue, together performing special body functions

Answer 19

organs

Question 20

groups of organs working together to perform complex body functions

Answer 20

systems