Anatomical Terminology

Question 1

Anatomical Position

Answer 1

• Standing
• Facing Forward
• Feet Flat
• Hands by side
• Palms facing forward

Question 2

Anterior

Answer 2

At the front of the subject, e.g. the bellybutton is anterior to the spine

Question 3

Posterior

Answer 3

At the back of the subject, e.g. the neck is posterior to the chin

Question 4

Superior

Answer 4

Towards the crown of the head; above; higher. E.g. the shoulder is superior to the hand

Question 5

Inferior

Answer 5

Towards the lower part of the body; below; lower. E.g. the foot is inferior to the knee.

Question 6

Midline

Answer 6

Anatomical medial line that runs down the center of the body.

Question 7

Medial

Answer 7

Toward the midline of the body. E.g. the head is medial to the shoulder.

Question 8

Lateral

Answer 8

Away from the midline of the body. E.g. the ear is lateral to the nose.

Question 9

Proximal

Answer 9

Closer to the main mass of the body. E.g. the hip is proximal to the foot.

Question 10

Distal

Answer 10

Further away from the main mass of the body. E.g. the hand is distal to the shoulder.

Question 11

Superficial

Answer 11

Toward the body’s surface. E.g. the skin is superficial to the heart.

Question 12

Deep

Answer 12

Further from the body’s surface, internal. E.g. the lungs are deeper than the ribcage.

Question 13

Concave

Answer 13

A curve inwards, e.g. hip sockets or the belly button.

Question 14

Convex

Answer 14

A curve outwards, e.g the eyeballs.

Question 15

Proprioception

Answer 15

The sense of position and movement of your own body in space.

Detected by sensors in the muscles and tendons called proprioceptors.

These sensors detect alterations in movement and posture and help the body in maintaining posture and joint position.

The central nervous system integrates information from proprioception and other sensory systems, such as vision, to create an overall representation of body position and movement.