Anatomical Terminolgy

Question 1

Anatomical position

Answer 1

Standing, facing forward, arms at side, palms forward and thumbs out
This is the reference position

Question 2

Planes

Answer 2

Imaginary flat surfaces that divide the body

Question 3

Frontal plane

Answer 3

Divides body into front and back halves (F+F)

Question 4

Sagittal plane

Answer 4

Divides body into sides

Question 5

Transverse plane

Answer 5

Divides body into top and bottom halves

Question 6

Superior

Answer 6

Toward the head, or upper part of a structure
Ex. The collar bone is superior to the rib cage

Question 7

Inferior

Answer 7

Away from head or lower part of a structure
Ex. The hip bone is inferior to the rib

Question 8

Posterior

Answer 8

Toward the back of the body
Ex. The shoulder blades are located on the posterior side of the body

Question 9

Anterior

Answer 9

Toward the front of the body
Ex. The lips are anterior to the teeth

Question 10

Lateral

Answer 10

Farther from the midline
Ex. The ears are lateral to the nose

Question 11

Medial

Answer 11

Closer to the midline (belly button)
Ex. The chest is medial to the arm

Question 12

Superficial

Answer 12

Toward the surface of the body
Ex. The skin is superficial to the muscles

Question 13

Deep

Answer 13

Away from the surface of the body
Ex. Muscles are deep to the skin

Question 14

Distal

Answer 14

Farther from the body (typically an appendage)
Ex. The hand is distal to the shoulder

Question 15

Proximal

Answer 15

Closer to the body ( typically appendage)
Ex. The knee is proximal to the toes

Question 16

Supine

Answer 16

Lying on back (spine)

Question 17

Prone

Answer 17

Lying face down (pushup)

Question 18

Flexion

Answer 18

Closing a joint

Question 19

Extension

Answer 19

Opening a joint

Question 20

Adduction

Answer 20

Limbs moving toward the midline
Ex. Bringing arms down

Question 21

Abduction

Answer 21

Limbs moving away from the midline
Ex. Putting arms up

Question 22

Specific joint movement: fingers

Answer 22

Flex/ext
Adduction/abduction

Question 23

Specific joint movement: wrist

Answer 23

Flex/ext
Extension
Circumduction

Question 24

Specific joint movement: elbow

Answer 24

Flex/ext
Supination
Pronation

Question 25

Specific joint movement: shoulder

Answer 25

Flex/ext
Adduction/abduction
Medial rotation/ lateral rotation
Horizontal adduction / abduction
Circumduction (full circle movement)

Question 26

Specific joint movement: trunk

Answer 26

Flex/ext
Lateral flexion
Lateral extension
Rotation

Question 27

Specific joint movement: hip

Answer 27

Flex/ext
Adduction/abduction

Question 28

Specific joint movement: knee

Answer 28

Flex/ext

Question 29

Specific joint movement: ankle

Answer 29

Inversion/ eversion ]
Dorsiflexion
Plantar flexion