Anatomical Terminology

Question 1

Mid-Sagittal

Answer 1

divides body along the midline into left and right halves

Question 2

Para-sagittal

Answer 2

next to the midsaggital section

Question 3

Coronal (frontal)

Answer 3

through crown of head

divides body or head into anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) parts

Question 4

Transverse

Answer 4

For body, transverse sections are cut in the horizontal plane

Divides body into superior and inferior body parts

Question 5

Oblique

Answer 5

Any other plane

May approximate sagittal, coronal, or transverse plane

Question 6

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 6

Towards the front

Question 7

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 7

towards the back (dorsum)

Question 8

Rostral

Answer 8

towards the nose (used espeically to describe locations in the CNS)

Question 9

Caudal

Answer 9

towards the tail (used especially to describe locations in the CNS)

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

close to the point of attachment (close to the median or near the origin of a structure)

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

away from the origin of a structure

Question 12

Superficial

Answer 12

at or close to the surface

Question 13

Deep

Answer 13

Away from the surface

Question 14

Palmar (volar)

Answer 14

palm side of the hand

Question 15

Plantar

Answer 15

Sole of the foot (bottom of foot)

Question 16

Dorsum

Answer 16

dorsal side of the foot (top)

Question 17

Ipsilateral

Answer 17

on the same side

Question 18

Contralateral

Answer 18

on the opposite side

Question 19

Afferent

Answer 19

towards the CNS or towards named neural structure

Question 20

Efferent

Answer 20

away from the CNS or away from named neural structure

Question 21

Flexion

Answer 21

reducing an angle

Question 22

Extension

Answer 22

increasing an angle (note: in anatomical position, elbow is in fully extended state)

Question 23

Medial rotation

Answer 23

movement of ventral surface toward the median; bringing a flexed arm across the chest

Question 24

Lateral rotation

Answer 24

movement of a ventral surface away from the median; moving head to one side

Question 25

Circumduction

Answer 25

combined movement involving flexion/extension with abduction/adduction; can occur at any ball and socket joint like the shoulder

Question 26

Protraction

Answer 26

moving a structure anteriorly; jutting out the jaw

Question 27

Retraction

Answer 27

moving a structure posterioly; withdrawing a protracted tongue into the oral cavity

Question 28

Pronation

Answer 28

of the arm is medial rotation so that face posteriorly

Question 29

Supination

Answer 29

of the arm is lateral rotatin so that the palms face anteriorly (in the anatomical position the hands are supinated “hold your soup”)

Question 30

Oppostion or reposition

Answer 30

occurs with the thumb. A unique trait for humans and refers to rotation about a complete axis. It also refers to the tip to tip contact between the little finger and thumb

Question 31

inversion

Answer 31

rotating plantar surface inward

Question 32

eversion

Answer 32

rotating plantar surface outward

Question 33

concentric action

Answer 33

muscles getting shorter

Question 34

eccentric action

Answer 34

muslces getting longer

Question 35

joint stabilization

Answer 35

muscles staying same length