Directional Terminology

Question 1

Anterior

Answer 1

Front part of body

Question 2

Posterior

Answer 2

Back part of body

Question 3

Superior

Answer 3

Towards upper body

Question 4

Inferior

Answer 4

Towards lower body

Question 5

Ventral

Answer 5

Anterior or Inferior

Question 6

Dorsal

Answer 6

Postier or superior

Question 7

Midline

Answer 7

Vertical line that divides the body into right and left

Question 8

Medial

Answer 8

Towards midline or inner side
Ex. Heart is medial to shoulder arms and lungs

Question 9

Lateral

Answer 9

Away from midline or on outer side of
Ex. Thumb is lateral to pinkie

Question 10

Unilateral

Answer 10

One side

Question 11

Bilateral

Answer 11

Two sides

Question 12

Ipsilateral

Answer 12

Same sides

Question 13

Contralateral

Answer 13

Opposite sides

Question 14

Superficial

Answer 14

Towards body’s surface

Question 15

Deep

Answer 15

Away from body surface

Question 16

Point of reference

Answer 16

Origin of a structure or body system

Question 17

Proximal

Answer 17

Closer to point of reference
Ex. Elbow is proximal to the hand

Question 18

Distal

Answer 18

Away from point of reference
Ex. Stomach is distal to esophagus

Question 19

Antero-

Answer 19

Anterior (front)

Question 20

Postero- or post-

Answer 20

Postier ( back)

Question 21

Supero- or Supra-

Answer 21

Superior (upper)

Question 22

Infero- or intra-

Answer 22

Inferior (lower)