directional terms

Question 1

superior

Answer 1

above

Question 2

inferior

Answer 2

below

Question 3

medial

Answer 3

middle (closer to midline)

Question 4

lateral

Answer 4

side (further from midline)

Question 5

anterior

Answer 5

in front

Question 6

posterior

Answer 6

behind

Question 7

palmar

Answer 7

opposite surface to the dorsum of the hand

Question 8

planter

Answer 8

opposite surface to the dorsum of the foot

Question 9

proximal

Answer 9

closer to origin of a part (generally a limb)

Question 10

distal

Answer 10

further from origin of a part (often limb)

Question 11

superficial

Answer 11

closer to skin surface

Question 12

deep

Answer 12

further from skin surface

Question 13

internal

Answer 13

inside

Question 14

external

Answer 14

outer

Question 15

ventral

Answer 15

closer to belly surface

Question 16

dorsal

Answer 16

closer to back surface

Question 17

cranial

Answer 17

‘skull’ towards the head

Question 18

caudal

Answer 18

‘tail’ towards the tail

Question 19

rostral

Answer 19

‘beak’ closer to the front of head

Question 20

occipital

Answer 20

closer to the back of head

Question 21

bilateral

Answer 21

paired structures on both left and right sides of the body

Question 22

unilateral

Answer 22

unpaired structure on just one side of the body

Question 23

ipsilateral

Answer 23

structures on the same side of the body

Question 24

contralateral

Answer 24

structures on the opposite side of the body

Question 25

anatomical position

Answer 25

• stand upright
• arms by side
• palms facing upwards