Directional & Anatomical Planes

Question 1

Anterior/Ventral

Answer 1

At or near the front of the body (front view).

Question 2

Posterior/Dorsal

Answer 2

At or near the back of the body (back view).

Question 3

Midline

Answer 3

An imaginary vertical line that divides the body equally right down the middle.

Question 4

Lateral

Answer 4

Away from midline; Position of a structure relative to the midline.

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Toward the midline; Nearer to the midline.

Question 6

Superior/Cranial

Answer 6

Toward the head/upper part of the body.

Used for axial region

Question 7

Inferior/Caudal

Answer 7

Away from the head/ toward the lower part of the body.

Used for axial region

Question 8

Superficial

Answer 8

Close to the surface of the body.

Question 9

Deep

Answer 9

Away from the surface of the body.

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

Closer to the point of origin; Nearer to the trunk of the body.
(Used for appendages)

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

Further from the point of origin; Further away from the trunk of the body.
(Used for appendages)

Question 12

Frontal/Coronal plane

Answer 12

Divides the body into anterior and posterior (front and back).

Question 13

Transverse Plane

Answer 13

Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Question 14

Sagittal plane

Answer 14

Vertical plane that divides the body into right and left sides.

Question 15

Midsagittal plane/Median plane

Answer 15

Divides the body at midline into equal right and left sides.

Question 16

Oblique plane

Answer 16

Divides the body at an angle.

Question 17

Cranial Cavity

Answer 17

Formed by the cranial bones and holds the brain.

Question 18

Vertebral cavity

Answer 18

Formed by the vertebrae and contains the spinal cord.

Question 19

Thoracic cavity

Answer 19

Formed by the thoracic cage, muscles of the chest, sternum, and thoracic vertebrae; contains the pleural, pericardial, and mediastinum cavities.

Question 20

Pleural Cavity

Answer 20

Fluid-filled spaces that surround both lungs.

Question 21

Pericardial Cavity

Answer 21

Fluid-filled space that surrounds the heart; the serous membrane of the pericardial cavity is the pericardium.

Question 22

Mediastinum

Answer 22

In the center of the thoracic cavity, housed between the pleural cavities. Contains the heart, thymus, trachea, and esophagus.

Question 23

Abdominal Cavity

Answer 23

Contains liver, stomach, spleen, small intestine, and most of the large intestine; the serous membrane of the abdominal cavity is the peritoneum.

Question 24

Pelvic Cavity

Answer 24

Contains the bladder, some of the large intestine, and reproductive organs.