Basic Anatomical Terminology

Question 1

Superior (cranial)

Answer 1

closer to the head

Question 2

Inferior (caudal)

Answer 2

closer to the feet

Question 3

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 3

toward the front of the body

Question 4

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 4

toward the back of the body

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

closer to the midline or median plane of the body

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

further away from the midline of the body

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

relative term used in reference to the limbs - closer to the trunk of the body (used instead
of superior)

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

relative term used in reference to the limbs – further away from the trunk of the body (used
instead of inferior)

Question 9

Sueprficial

Answer 9

closer to the surface of the body

Question 10

Deep

Answer 10

towards the inside of the body

Question 11

Supine

Answer 11

body lying face up

Question 12

Prone

Answer 12

body lying face down

Question 13

Bilateral

Answer 13

referring to paired structures that have both right and left counterparts

Question 14

Unilateral

Answer 14

referring to a single structure that occurs on only one side of the body

Question 15

Ipsilateral

Answer 15

referring to structures or actions that occur on the same side of the body

Question 16

Contralateral

Answer 16

referring to structures or actions that occur on opposite sides of the body

Question 17

Frontal (coronal)

Answer 17

divides the body into anterior and posterior sections – an image of a frontal
section demonstrates medial/lateral, right/left and superior/inferior relationships among structures.

Question 18

Sagittal

Answer 18

divides the body into left and right sections – an image of a sagittal section of the body
demonstrates anterior/posterior and superior/inferior relationships among structures. Note that asagittal plane that sections the body into equal right and left halves is referred to either as themedian plane or mid-sagittal plane.

Question 19

Transverse (horizontal)

Answer 19

divides the body into superior and inferior sections – an image of a transverse section demonstrates medial/lateral, right/left, anterior/posterior relationships among structures. Note that radiologists refer to transverse planes as axial planes and the images of axial plans as cross-sections.

Question 20

Oblique plane

Answer 20

any plane that is oriented at an angle to the standard planes. Many standard ultrasound images are captured in an oblique plane.

Question 21

Transverse thoracic plane

Answer 21

transverse plane that passes through the T4/T5 vertebral junction and
manubriosternal joint of the sternum (this joint is also known as the sternal angle of Louis).
Anatomically the transverse thoracic plane divides the mediastinum (central compartment of the
thorax) into superior and inferior portions and passes through the arch of the aorta and the
bifurcation of the trachea.

Question 22

Transumbilical plane

Answer 22

transverse plane passing through the umbilicus.

Question 23

Subcostal plane

Answer 23

transverse plane tangent to the inferior borders of the costal cartilages of right and
left tenth ribs.

Question 24

Transtubercular (intertubercular) plane

Answer 24

a transverse plane tangent to the iliac tubercles of the iliac
crests of the right and left hip bones

Question 25

Supracristal plane

Answer 25

transverse plane tangent to the superior-most aspects of the iliac crests of the
right and left hip bones; the supracristal plane is referenced when performing a lumbar puncture to
extract cerebrospinal fluid.

Question 26

Midclavicular plane (line)

Answer 26

a sagittal plane passing through the midline of the clavicle.

Question 27

Midaxillary line

Answer 27

a frontal plane passing through the midlines of the axillae (axilla = armpit).

Question 28

Axilla

Answer 28

pyramidal-shaped internal space located inferior to the shoulder and between it and the skin of the armpit

Question 29

Umbilical region

Answer 29

body region in vicinity of umbilicus

Question 30

Inguinal region

Answer 30

location of junction of the inferior aspect of the anterior abdominal wall with the superior aspect of the anterior thigh; the inguinal region is also known as the groin

Question 31

Perineum

Answer 31

diamond-shaped region of the body wall located between the thighs and that includes
the external genitalia and anus

Question 32

Arm or brachium

Answer 32

region of upper limb distal to the shoulder and proximal to the elbow

Question 33

Forearm or antebrachium

Answer 33

region of the upper limb distal to the elbow and proximal to the wrist

Question 34

Cubital fossa

Answer 34

depression or pit on the anterior aspect of the upper limb, anterior to the elbow

Question 35

Wrist or carpus

Answer 35

narrowed region of the distal upper limb where the carpal bones are located

Question 36

Hand or manus

Answer 36

distal-most region of the upper limb with palmar (ventral/anterior) and dorsal (posterior) surfaces that includes the five digits

Question 37

Gluteal region

Answer 37

The buttock

Question 38

thigh

Answer 38

Region of the lower limb distal to the inguinal region and proximal to the knee

Question 39

Leg or crus

Answer 39

region of the lower limb proximal to the ankle and distal to the knee

Question 40

Popliteal fossa

Answer 40

depression or pit on the posterior aspect of the lower limb, posterior to the knee

Question 41

Ankle

Answer 41

narrowed region of the distal lower limb where the leg bones articulate with tarsal bones of the foot

Question 42

Foot or pet

Answer 42

distal-most region of the lower limb with plantar (sole of foot) and dorsal surfaces and that includes the five digits