Directional Terms

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

Towards the head, or upper part of a structure

Question 2

Inferior

Answer 2

Away from the head, or the lower part of a structure

Question 3

Anterior

Answer 3

Nearer to or at the front of the body

Question 4

Posterior

Answer 4

Nearer to or at the back of the body

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Nearer to the midline (an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into equal right & left sides)

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Farther from the midline

Question 7

Intermediate

Answer 7

Between two structures

Question 8

Ipsilateral

Answer 8

On the same side of the body as another structure

Question 9

Contralateral

Answer 9

On the opposite side of the body from another structure

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk; nearer to the origination of a structure

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk; farther from the origination of a structure

Question 12

Superficial

Answer 12

Towards or on the surface of the body

Question 13

Deep (Internal)

Answer 13

Away from the surface of the body