Body Planes and Anatomical Directions

Question 1

Median

Answer 1

The midline plane dividing the body into left/right halves

Question 2

Sagittal

Answer 2

The plane dividing the body into unequal left and right parts and parallel to the median plane.

Question 3

Coronal/Frontal

Answer 3

The plane dividng the body into equal/unequal front and back parts. The terms anterior and posterior relate to this plane

Question 4

Transverse/Cross Horizontal

Answer 4

The horizontal plane divides the body into upper (cranial) and lower (caudal) parts. Cross/transverse sections are perpendicular to the long axis of the body or other structure and may not be horizontal.

Question 5

Cranial/Superior

Answer 5

These terms refer to a structure being closer to the head or higher than another structure in the body.

Question 6

Caudal/Inferior

Answer 6

These terms refer to a structure being closer to the feet or lower than another structure in the body.

Question 7

Anterior/Ventral

Answer 7

These terms refer to a structure being more in front than another structure in the body.

Question 8

Posterior/Dorsal

Answer 8

These terms refer to a structure being more in back than another structure in the body.

Question 9

Medial

Answer 9

This term refers to a structure being closer to the median plane than another structure in the body.

Question 10

Lateral

Answer 10

This terms refers to a structure being further away from the median plane than another structure in the body.

Question 11

Proximal

Answer 11

Employed with reference to the limbs only, this term refers to a structure being closer to the median plane or root of the limb than another structure in the limb. Such a structure would ordinarily be superior to the other.

Question 12

Distal

Answer 12

Employed with reference to the limbs only, this term refers to a structure being further away from the median plane or root of the limb than another structure in that limb. Such a structure would ordinarily be inferior to the other.

Question 13

Superficial + Deep

Answer 13

The term “superficial” is synonymous with external, and the term “deep” with internal. Related to the reference point on the chest wall, structure closer to the surface of the body is superficial; structure further away from the surface is deep.

Question 14

Ipsilateral + Contralateral

Answer 14

The term “ipsilateral” means “on the same side” (in this case, as a reference point); “contralateral” means “on the opposite side” (of the reference point).

Question 15

Cardi-

Answer 15

heart

Question 16

Append-

Answer 16

to hang something

Question 17

Cyt-

Answer 17

cell

Question 18

Dors-

Answer 18

back

Question 19

Homeo-

Answer 19

same

Question 20

Endo-

Answer 20

within

Question 21

An-

Answer 21

without

Question 22

Peri-

Answer 22

around

Question 23

Bronch-

Answer 23

windpipe

Question 24

-stasis

Answer 24

standing still

Question 25

Ax-

Answer 25

axis

Question 26

-gram

Answer 26

something written

Question 27

Pericardium

Answer 27

A sack that covers the heart and major blood vessels.

Question 28

Electrodiagram

Answer 28

A test that records the heart's electrical activity over time as a line graph.

Question 29

Axial Skeleton

Answer 29

The body's bony structure that includes the skull, rib cage, and vertebral column.

Question 30

Appendicular Skeleton

Answer 30

The skeleton that includes the limbs, shoulders, and pelvis.

Question 31

Homeostasis

Answer 31

The body's ability too maintain a state of balance.