Anatomical Terminology – Positions & Movements

Question 1

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 1

The front surface of the body

Question 2

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 2

Back side of the body

Question 3

Superior (cranial)

Answer 3

Above another structure or closer to the head

Question 4

Inferior (caudal)

Answer 4

Below another structure, or closer to the feet

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Pertaining to the middle, closer to the midline of the body

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Pertaining to the side, further away from the midline of the body

Question 7

Ipsilateral

Answer 7

Same side of the body

Question 8

Contralateral

Answer 8

Opposite side of the body

Question 9

Proximal

Answer 9

Near the point of attachment to the trunk

Question 10

Distal

Answer 10

Farther away from the point of attachment to the trunk

Question 11

Apex

Answer 11

Tip or summit of an organ

Question 12

Base

Answer 12

Bottom of an organ

Question 13

Deep

Answer 13

Away from the Surface

Question 14

Superficial

Answer 14

On the Surface, closer to the surface of the body

Question 15

Prone

Answer 15

Lying on the belly

Question 16

Supine

Answer 16

Lying on the back

Question 17

Flexion

Answer 17

Bending the joint; occurs in the sagittal plane

Question 18

Extension

Answer 18

Straightening the joint; occurs in the sagittal plane

Question 19

Abduction

Answer 19

Moving away from the median plane; occurs in the coronal plane

Question 20

Adduction

Answer 20

Moving toward the medial plane; occurs in the coronal plane

Question 21

Lateral Flexion

Answer 21

Used to describe the movement of the spine; occurs in the coronal plane

Question 22

Supination

Answer 22

Movement of the forearm where the palm faces upward

Question 23

Pronation

Answer 23

Movement of the forearm where the palm faces backward

Question 24

Protraction

Answer 24

Moving toward the front (anteriorly)

Question 25

Retraction

Answer 25

Moving toward the back (POSTERIORLY)

Question 26

Elevation

Answer 26

Upward movement

Question 27

Depression

Answer 27

Downward movement

Question 28

Median plane. (Midsagittal plane)

Answer 28

The median plane refers to a plane passing vertically through the midline. It divides the body into left and right halves of equal proportion

Question 29

Dorsal recumbent position

Answer 29

wherein the patient lies flat on the back with head and shoulders slightly elevated using a pillow unless contraindicated

Question 30

Fowler’s Position

Answer 30

Fowler’s position, also known as sitting position, is typically used for neurosurgery and shoulder surgeries. The bed angle is between 45 degrees and 60 degrees. The legs of the patient may be straight or slightly bent.

Question 31

Sim Position

Answer 31

Sims position the patient lies on the left side with the left thigh slightly flexed and the right thigh acutely flexed on the abdomen; the left arm is behind the body with the body inclined forward, and the right arm is positioned according to the patient’s comfort.

Question 32

Lithotomy Position

Answer 32

a supine position of the body with the legs separated, flexed, and supported in raised stirrups, originally used for lithotomy and later also for childbirth.

Question 33

Knee-elbow position

Answer 33

A position with the patient on the knees, thighs upright, body resting on elbows, head down on hands.