Directional terms

Question 1

Cranial

Answer 1

• closer to the head
• anterior
• When describing regions within the head itself, if you don’t use the term cranial because the entire head is the reference point for that term.

Question 2

Caudal

Answer 2

• closer to the tail or rear
• posterior

Question 3

Rostral

Answer 3

• parts of head closer to the tip of the nose
• for example, the eyes are rostral to the ears

Question 4

Dorsal

Answer 4

• Closer to the back or spine

Question 5

Ventral

Answer 5

• Closer to the ground

Question 6

Plantar

Answer 6

• surface that touches the ground on rear limbs
• for example, the back paws touch the ground

Question 7

Palmer

Answer 7

• surface that touches the ground on the front limbs
• for example, your palms touch the ground

Question 8

Lateral

Answer 8

• farther away from median

Question 9

Medial

Answer 9

• closer to the median

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

• Point nearest to the main portion of the body
• Describe a position on an extremity meaning, limb or tail

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

• farther out from main portion of the body
• Describe a position on an extremity (meaning limb or tail)

Question 12

Superficial

Answer 12

• Toward the surface of the body

Question 13

Deep

Answer 13

• away from the surface of the body
• toward the center of the body

Question 14

Orad

Answer 14

• movement within the gastrointestinal system in the direction of the mouth

Question 15

Aborad

Answer 15

• movement within gastrointestinal system in the direction AWAY from the mouth

Question 16

Aborad

Answer 16

• movement within gastrointestinal system in the direction AWAY from the mouth