Body Planes and Directional Terms

Question 1

Coronal (Frontal)

Answer 1

Vertical plane that divides the body into front and back sections

Question 2

Sagittal

Answer 2

Vertical plane that divides the body into left and right sections

Question 3

Median (Mid-Sagittal)

Answer 3

Lies on the midline

Question 4

Transverse

Answer 4

Horizontal plane that divides the body into top and bottom sections

Question 5

Superior (Cranial or Cephalic)

Answer 5

Toward the top (Toward the head)

Question 6

Inferior (Caudal)

Answer 6

Toward the bottom (Toward the tail or coccyx)

Question 7

Anterior (Ventral)

Answer 7

Toward the front (Toward the belly)

Question 8

Posterior (Dorsal)

Answer 8

Toward the back

Question 9

Medial

Answer 9

Toward the midline

Question 10

Lateral

Answer 10

Toward the side

Question 11

Proximal

Answer 11

Closer to the trunk or origin point of a body part

Question 12

Distal

Answer 12

Away from the trunk or origin point of a body part

Question 13

Superficial

Answer 13

Closer to the body’s surface

Question 14

Deep

Answer 14

Away from the body’s surface

Question 15

Axial

Answer 15

Central part of body (Includes head, neck, and trunk)

Question 16

Appendicular (Appendages)

Answer 16

Upper and lower limbs

Question 17

Serous Membrane (Serosa)

Answer 17

Secrete serous fluid that prevents friction between organs and cavities

Question 18

Visceral (Inner Layer)

Answer 18

Visceral layer of serous membrane that covers an organ

Question 19

Parietal (Outer Layer)

Answer 19

Parietal layer of serous membrane that lines the walls of cavities

Question 20

Cross-Section

Answer 20

A transverse cut through a structure

Question 21

Oblique

Answer 21

A diagonal position

Question 22

Anatomical Position

Answer 22

Standing erect, face forward, hands at sides, palms forward

Question 23

Intermediate

Answer 23

Between two structures

Question 24

Bilateral

Answer 24

On both sides of the body

Question 25

Ipsilateral

Answer 25

On the same side of the body

Question 26

Contralateral

Answer 26

Opposite sides of the body

Question 27

Parasagittal

Answer 27

Vertical plane that divides the body into unequal left and right sections