anatomical positions, planes and directinoal terms

Question 1

sagittal (midsagittal or median) plane

Answer 1

passes vertically through the body or an organ and divides it into right and left portions.

Question 2

frontal (coronal) plane

Answer 2

extends vertically, but it is perpendicular to the sagittal plane and divides the body into anterior and posterior portions

Question 3

transverse (horizontal) plane

Answer 3

passes across the body or an organ perpendicular to its long axis; divides the body or organ in superior and inferior portions

Question 4

ventral

Answer 4

toward the front or belly

Question 5

dorsal

Answer 5

toward the back or spine

Question 6

anterior

Answer 6

toward the ventral side

Question 7

posterior

Answer 7

toward the dorsal side

Question 8

cephalic

Answer 8

toward the head or superior end

Question 9

rostral

Answer 9

toward the forehead or nose

Question 10

cuadal

Answer 10

toward the tail or inferior end

Question 11

superior

Answer 11

above

Question 12

inferior

Answer 12

below

Question 13

medial

Answer 13

toward the median plane

Question 14

lateral

Answer 14

away from the median plane

Question 15

proximal

Answer 15

closer to the point of attachment or origin

Question 16

distal

Answer 16

farther from the point of attachment or origin

Question 17

ipsilateral

Answer 17

on the same side of the body

Question 18

contralateral

Answer 18

on opposite sided of the body

Question 19

superficial

Answer 19

closer to the body surface

Question 20

deep

Answer 20

farther from the body surface

Question 21

anatomical position

Answer 21

that of a person standing upright with the feet flat on the floor, arms at the sides, and the palms and the face directed forward.

Question 22

prone

Answer 22

lying face down

Question 23

supine

Answer 23

lying face up