BODY ORIENTATION/DIRECTION

Question 1

SUPERIOR/INFERIOR

Answer 1

(Above/below): These terms refer to placement of a structure along the long axis of the body. The nose, for example, is superior to the mouth, and the abdomen is inferior to the chest.

Question 2

ANTERIOR/POSTERIOR

Answer 2

(Front/back): In humans, the most anterior structures are those that are most forward-the face, chest, and abdomen. Posterior structures are those toward the backside of the body. For instance, the spine is posterior to the heart.

Question 3

MEDIAL/LATERAL

Answer 3

(Toward the midline/away from the midline or median plane): The sternum (breastbone) is medial to the ribs; the ear is lateral to the nose.

Question 4

CRANIAL/CAUDAL

Answer 4

(Toward the head/toward the tail): In humans, these terms are used interchangeably with superior and inferior, but in four-legged animals they are synonymous with anterior and posterior, respectively.

Question 5

DORSAL/VENTRAL

Answer 5

(Belly side/backside): These terms are used chiefly in discussing the comparative anatomy of animals, assuming the animal is standing.
In humans, the terms ventral and dorsal are used interchangeably with the terms anterior and posterior, but in four-legged animals, ventral and dorsal are synonymous with inferior and superior, respectively.

Question 6

PROXIMAL/DISTAL

Answer 6

(Nearer the trunk or attached end/farther from the trunk or point of attachment): These terms are used primarily to locate various areas of the body limbs. For example, the fingers are distal to the elbow; the knee is proximal to the toes.
However, these terms may also be used to indicate regions (closer to or farther from the head) of internal tubular organs.

Question 7

SUPERFICIAL/DEEP

Answer 7

(Toward or at the body surface/away from the body surface): For example, the skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles, and the lungs are deep to the rib cage.