Anatomical terminology

Question 1

ANTERIOR

Answer 1

location of bodily segment towards front of the body
egs = anterior deltoid is on front of shoulder
rectus abdominis muscle is anterior surface of spine

Question 2

POSTERIOR

Answer 2

location of bodily segments towards rear of body
egs = posterior deltoid is at rear of shoulder joint.
gluteal muscles located on posterior surface of hips

Question 3

INFERIOR

Answer 3

bodily segment below another

Question 4

SUPERIOR

Answer 4

bodily segment above another

Question 5

MEDIAL

Answer 5

bodily segment closer or moves towards midline of body

eg = shoulder can rotate medially to bring arms and hands closer to body’s midline

Question 6

LATERAL

Answer 6

bodily segment located outside another. can also be used to describe movement towards outside of body.
eg = abductor muscle group lateral to hip joint

Question 7

PROXIMAL

Answer 7

bodily segment closer to centre of body
egs = elbow joint proximal to wrists
rectus abdominis muscle proximal to bicep muscles

Question 8

DISTAL

Answer 8

bodily segment further away from centre

Question 9

SUPINATION

Answer 9

bodily segment facing upwards. Palms in a supinated position means they face upwards. Body in supine position is lying on back

Question 10

PRONATION

Answer 10

bodily segment facing down. Body in prone position is lying face down. Pronated grip of bar means palms of hands are face down

Question 11

SUPERFICIAL

Answer 11

close to surface of skin

eg = rectus abdominis muscle is superficial to the deeper transverse abdominis muscle

Question 12

DEEP

Answer 12

away from the surface of the skin

eg = internal oblique muscles are deep compared to external oblique muscles