Body Planes & Directional Terms

Question 1

Sagittal

Body Plane

Answer 1

Dividing the body into the right and left

Doesn’t need to be equal

Question 2

Midsagittal

Body Plane

Answer 2

In the middle. Equal right and left.

Question 3

Transverse Plane

Body Plane

Answer 3

Passes horizontally dividing into superior/inferior

Question 4

Superior

Answer 4

Upper most. Above. The highest of the two parts.

Nose superior to mouth

Question 5

Inferior

Answer 5

Lower most. Below. The lower of two parts

Heart inferior to neck

Question 6

Dorsal

Answer 6

Toward the back

Spine on dorsal side of body

Question 7

Ventral

Answer 7

Toward the belly

Face is ventral side of body

Question 8

Anterior

Answer 8

Toward the front

Heart is anterior to spine

Question 9

Posterior

Answer 9

Situated behind. Toward the back of…

Ear is posterior to nose

Question 10

Median/medial

Answer 10

Middle or midline of structure (toward midline)

Nose is medial to ears

Question 11

Lateral

Answer 11

Toward the side

Ears are lateral to eyes

Question 12

External

Answer 12

On the outside

Question 13

Internal

Answer 13

On the inside

Question 14

Horizontal

Answer 14

Parallel to the horizon

Question 15

Vertical

Answer 15

Straight up and down

Question 16

Perpendicular

Answer 16

Straight up and down at right angle to horizon

Question 17

Parallel

Answer 17

Having the same direction, side by side/ equal-distant

Question 18

Oblique

Answer 18

Slanting, not parallel

Question 19

Periphery

Answer 19

Outward part, surface or border.

Question 20

Cranial

Answer 20

Toward the head

Question 21

Proximal

Answer 21

Nearer to point of attachment or given point of reference.

Elbow is proximal to wrist

Question 22

Distal

Answer 22

Further from point of attachment or point of reference.

Fingers are distal to wrist

Question 23

Mesial

Answer 23

Closest to the point of attachment or point of reference.