Directional Terms

Question 1

median plane

Answer 1

straight down the middle, equal on both sides

Question 2

medial

Answer 2

towards the median plane

Question 3

lateral

Answer 3

away from the medial plane

Question 4

rostral

Answer 4

towards the nose when referring to the head

Question 5

cranial

Answer 5

towards the head

Question 6

caudal

Answer 6

towards the tail end of the body

Question 7

transverse plane

Answer 7

divides the body into cranial and caudal parts

Question 8

proximal

Answer 8

position on the limb closer to the body

Question 9

distal

Answer 9

position of the limb that is further from the body

Question 10

dorsal

Answer 10

towards the animal’s back

Question 11

ventral

Answer 11

towards the animal’s belly

Question 12

dorsal plane

Answer 12

runs lengthwise down the body, divides dorsal and ventral portions

Question 13

palmar

Answer 13

back of front feet

Question 14

plantar

Answer 14

the back of rear feet

Question 15

superficial or external

Answer 15

towards the surface of the body

Question 16

deep or internal

Answer 16

towards the center of body

Question 17

recumbency

Answer 17

lying down

Question 18

dorsal recumbency

Answer 18

laying flat on back

Question 19

ventral or sternal recumbency

Answer 19

laying on belly

Question 20

right lateral recumbency

Answer 20

laying on the right side of body

Question 21

left lateral recumbency

Answer 21

lying on the left side of the body

Question 22

oblique recumbency

Answer 22

laying ina tilted position