Directional Terms

Question 1

superior (cranial)

Answer 1

toward the head or upper part of a structure; above

The head is superior to the abdomen

Question 2

inferior (caudal)

Answer 2

away from the head end or
toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below
(The intestines are inferior to the liver)

Question 3

medial

Answer 3

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

The heart is medial to the lungs

Question 4

lateral

Answer 4

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

The thumb is lateral to the pinky

Question 5

proximal

Answer 5

closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
(The elbow is proximal to the wrist)

Question 6

distal

Answer 6

farther from the origin of a body part of the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
(The knee is distal to the thigh)

Question 7

ipsilateral

Answer 7

on the same side

The right hand and foot are ipsilateral

Question 8

contralateral

Answer 8

on opposite sides

The right hand are left foot are contralateral

Question 9

anterior (ventral)

Answer 9

toward or at the front of the body; in front of

The sternum is anterior to the heart

Question 10

posterior

Answer 10

toward or at the back of the body; behind

The vertebra is posterior to the heart

Question 11

superficial (external)

Answer 11

toward or at the body surface

The skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles

Question 12

deep (internal)

Answer 12

away from the body surface; more internal

The lungs are deep to the skin