Body Directions

Question 1

anatomic position

Answer 1

the subject is standing with face front, arms at the sides with palms facing forward and feet parallel

Question 2

superior

Answer 2

a directional term meaning above; in higher position

Question 3

inferior

Answer 3

directional term meaning below; lower

Question 4

anterior

Answer 4

a directional term (also called ventral); located towards the belly surface or front of the body.

Question 5

posterior

Answer 5

a directional term (also called dorsal); referring to locations nearer the back.

Question 6

medial

Answer 6

a directional term meaning nearer to an imaginary place that passes through the midline of the body, dividing it into left and right portions.

Question 7

lateral

Answer 7

a directional term meaning farther away from the midline, toward the side.

Question 8

planes of division

Answer 8

anatomists divides the body along three planes, each of which is a cut through the body in a different direction

Question 9

frontal plane

Answer 9

an imaginary cut that is made in line with the ears and then down the middle of the body; also called “coronal plane”

Question 10

sagittal plane

Answer 10

an imaginary cut of the body into two from front to back, separating it into right and left portions

Question 11

midsagittal plane

Answer 11

an imaginary cut exactly down the midline of the body, separating it into equal right and left halves.

Question 12

transverse plane

Answer 12

an imaginary cut made horizontally, across the other two planes, dividing the body into a superior and inferior parts; also called “horizontal plane”.

Question 13

tissue sections

Answer 13

the direction in which tissue is cut affects what is seen under the microscope.

Question 14

cross-section

Answer 14

is a cut made perpendicular to the long axis of an organ

Question 15

longitudinal section

Answer 15

is a cut made parallel to the long axis

Question 16

oblique section

Answer 16

is a cut made at an angle