Body Structure: Directional Terms

Question 0

Adduction

Answer 0

movement toward the midsagittal (median) plane of the body

Question 1

Abduction

Answer 1

movement away from the midsagittal (median) plane of the body or one of its parts

Question 2

Medial

Answer 2

pertaining to the midline of the body or structure

Question 3

Lateral

Answer 3

pertaining to a side

Question 4

Superior (cephalad)

Answer 4

toward the head or upper portion of a structure

Question 5

Inferior (caudal)

Answer 5

away from the head, or toward the tail or lower part of a structure

Question 6

Proximal

Answer 6

nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body

Question 7

Distal

Answer 7

further from the center (trunk of the body) or from the point of attachment to the body

Question 8

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 8

front of the body

Question 9

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 9

back of the body

Question 10

Parietal

Answer 10

pertaining to the outer wall of the body cavity

Question 11

Visceral

Answer 11

pertaining to the viscera, or internal organs, especially the abdominal organs

Question 12

Prone

Answer 12

lying on the abdomen, face down

Question 13

Supine

Answer 13

lying horizontally on the back, face up

Question 14

Inversion

Answer 14

turning inward or inside out

Question 15

Eversion

Answer 15

turning outward

Question 16

Palmar

Answer 16

pertaining to the palm of the hand

Question 17

Plantar

Answer 17

pertaining to the sole of the foot

Question 18

Superficial

Answer 18

toward the surface of the body (external)

Question 19

Deep

Answer 19

away from the surface of the body (internal)