Anatomical Terminology

Question 1

Describe anatomical body position

Answer 1

Standing erect, facing observer, head up, eyes looking forward, lower limbs parallel to feet, feet are flat on the floor, upper limbs are at the sides with palms facing forward,

Question 2

Directional terms

Answer 2

Superior (cephalic or cranial): towards the head or upper part of the structure
Inferior (caudal): away from the head or lower part of the structure
Anterior (ventral): nearer to or at the front of the body
Posterior (dorsal): nearer to or at the back of the body
Medial: nearer to the midline
Lateral: farther from the midline
Intermediate: between two structures (eg. transverse colon intermediate to ascending/descending colon)
Ipsilateral: on the same side of the body as another structure
Contralateral: on the opposite side of the body as another structure
Proximal: nearer to the attachment of the limb to the trunk, nearer to origination of the structure
Distal: farther from attachment of the limb to the trunk, farther from origination of the structure
Superficial(external): towards or on the surface of the body
Deep(internal): away from the surface of the body

Question 3

Sagittal plane

Answer 3

Vertical plane that divides the body or organ into left and right sides

Question 4

Midsagittal plane or Median plane

Answer 4

When the plane passes through the midline of the body or organ and divides it into EQUAL left and right sides

Question 5

Parasagittal plane

Answer 5

Divides body into unequal Left and right sides - does not pass through midline and is NOT equal

Question 6

Frontal Plane or Coronal Plane

Answer 6

divides body or organ into anterior and posterior

Question 7

Transverse plane or cross sectional plane or horizontal plane

Answer 7

divides body or organ into superior and inferior portions

Question 8

Oblique plane

Answer 8

cross section that crosses the body at any other angle than 90 degrees