Anatomy: Terminology

Question 1

what does anterior mean?

Answer 1

nearer the front of the body

Question 2

what does posterior mean?

Answer 2

nearer the back of the body

Question 3

what does superior mean?

Answer 3

nearer the top of the head

Question 4

what does inferior mean?

Answer 4

nearer the soles of the feet

Question 5

what does medial mean?

Answer 5

nearer the midline

Question 6

what does lateral mean?

Answer 6

further from the midline

Question 7

what does proximal mean?

Answer 7

nearer the point of attachment of a limb to the body

Question 8

what does distal mean?

Answer 8

further from the point of attachment of a limb to the body

Question 9

what does superficial mean?

Answer 9

nearer the surface of the body

Question 10

what does deep mean?

Answer 10

further from the surface of the body

Question 11

what does unilateral mean?

Answer 11

structure found on one side of the body

Question 12

what does bilateral mean?

Answer 12

structure is paired, a right and a left

Question 13

what does midline mean?

Answer 13

a single structure on or near the midline

Question 14

what does ipsilateral mean?

Answer 14

the structure is on the same side of the body as the one it is being compared to

Question 15

what does contralateral mean?

Answer 15

structure is on the opposite side of the body to the one it is being compared to

Question 16

what does flexion mean?

Answer 16

decreasing the angle between bones at a joint

Question 17

what does extension mean?

Answer 17

increasing the angle between bones at a joint

Question 18

what does abduction mean?

Answer 18

movement away from the midline

Question 19

what does adduction mean?

Answer 19

movement towards the midline

Question 20

what is internal rotation?

Answer 20

anterior surface of a limb rotates towards the midline

Question 21

what is lateral rotation?

Answer 21

anterior surface of a limb rotates away from the midline

Question 22

what is circumduction?

Answer 22

circular motion at a joint