Direction / Movement / Body Regions

Question 1

Abduction

Answer 1

Movement of a limb or part away from the median line or middle of the body.

Question 2

Adduction

Answer 2

Movement of a limb or part toward the median line or middle of the body.

Question 3

Caudal

Answer 3

Pertaining to the tail end of the body, or denoting a position more toward the tail or rear of the body than another reference point (body part). Example: The tail is caudal to the head.

Question 4

Central

Answer 4

Pertaining to or situated near the more proximal areas of the body or a structure; opposite of peripheral. Example: The spinal cord is central to the sciatic nerve.

Question 5

Cranial

Answer 5

Pertaining to the cranium or head end of the body, or denoting a position more toward the cranium or head end of the body than another reference point (body part). Example: The head is cranial to the tail.

Question 6

Deep

Answer 6

Situated away from the surface of the body or a structure; opposite of superficial. Example: The muscles are deep to the skin.

Question 7

Distal

Answer 7

Farther from the center of the body, relative to another body part, or location on a body part relative to another closer location. Example: The tibia is distal to the femur.

Question 8

Dorsal

Answer 8

Pertaining to the back area of a quadruped (animal with four legs), or denoting a position more toward the spine than another reference point (body part). Example: The vertebral column is dorsal to the abdomen.

Question 9

Extension

Answer 9

The act of straightening, such as a joint; also, the act of pulling two component parts apart to lengthen the whole part.

Question 10

Flexion

Answer 10

The act of bending, such as a joint.

Question 11

Lateral

Answer 11

Denoting a position farther from the median plane of the body, or a structure on the side or toward the side away from the median plane, or pertaining to the side of the body or of a structure. Example: The lateral surface of the leg is the “outside” surface.

Question 12

Medial

Answer 12

Denoting a position closer to the median plane of the body, or a structure toward the middle or median plane, or pertaining to the middle or a position closer to the median plane of the body or a structure. Example: The medial surface of the leg is the “inside” surface.

Question 13

Oblique

Answer 13

At an angle, or pertaining to an angle. Example: The vein crosses obliquely from the dorsal left side to the ventral right side.

Question 14

Palmar

Answer 14

Palmar pertains to the caudal surface of the front foot distal to the antebrachiocarpal joint; also pertains to the undersurface of the front foot.

Question 15

Adjacent

Answer 15

Next to, adjoining, or close. Example: The tongue is adjacent to the teeth.

Question 16

Peripheral

Answer 16

Pertaining to or situated near the periphery, the outermost part, or surface of an organ or part. Example: The enamel of a tooth is peripheral to the dentin and central root canal.

Question 17

Plantar

Answer 17

Plantar pertains to the caudal surface of the back foot distal to the tarsocrural joint; also pertains to the undersurface of the rear foot.

Question 18

Prone, Pronation

Answer 18

Lying face down, in ventral recumbency. Pronation is the act of turning the body or a leg so the ventral aspect is down.

Question 19

Proximal

Answer 19

Nearer to the center of the body, relative to another body part, or a location on a body part relative to another, more distant, location. Example: The humerus is proximal to the radius.

Question 20

Recumbent

Answer 20

Lying down; a modifying term is needed to describe the surface on which the animal is lying. Example: An animal in dorsal recumbency is lying on its dorsum (back), face up

Question 21

Rostral

Answer 21

Pertaining to the nose end of the head or body, or toward the nose. Example: The nose is rostral to the eyes.

Question 22

Superficial

Answer 22

Situated near the surface of the body or a structure; opposite of deep. Example: The skin is superficial to the muscles.

Question 23

Supine, Supination

Answer 23

Lying face up, in dorsal recumbency. Supination is the act of turning the body or a leg so that the ventral aspect is uppermost.

Question 24

Ventral

Answer 24

Pertaining to the underside of a quadruped, or denoting a position more toward the abdomen than another reference point (body part). Example: The intestines are ventral to the vertebral column.