Directional Terms

Question 1

Anatomical Position

Answer 1

standing upright, palms facing forward

Question 2

Prone

Answer 2

face-down

Question 3

Supine

Answer 3

face-up

Question 4

Superior or cranial

Answer 4

toward the head end of the body; upper (example, the hand is part of the superior extremity)

Question 5

Inferior or caudal

Answer 5

away from the head; lower (example, the foot is part of the inferior extremity)

Question 6

Anterior

Answer 6

front (example, the kneecap is located on the anterior side of the leg)

Question 7

Posterior

Answer 7

back (example, the shoulder blades are located on the posterior side of the body)

Question 8

Medial

Answer 8

toward the midline of the body (example, the big toe is located at the medial side of the foot)

Question 9

Lateral

Answer 9

away from the midline of the body (example, the little toe is located at the lateral side of the foot)

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin of a part (example, the proximal end of the femur joins with the pelvic bone)

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

away from or farthest from the trunk or the point or origin of a part (example, the hand is located at the distal end of the forearm)

Question 12

Superficial

Answer 12

towards the surface

Question 13

Deep

Answer 13

away from the surface

Question 14

Transverse Plane (Horizontal Plane)

Answer 14

Lower half separated from top half of body (horizontal)

Question 15

Sagittal Plane (Median Plane)

Answer 15

Left side separated from right side of body (vertical)

Question 16

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

Answer 16

Front side separated from back side

Question 17

Viscera

Answer 17

Internal Organs

Question 18

Axial Portion

Answer 18

Head, neck, spine

Question 19

Appendicular Portion

Answer 19

Portion (limbs)- arms and legs