Directional Terms

Question 1

Anterior

Answer 1

Front of body

Question 2

Posterior

Answer 2

Back, behind of body

Question 3

Dorsal

Answer 3

Back (same as posterior for humans)

Question 4

Ventral

Answer 4

Belly side (same as anterior in humans)

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Towards midline longitudinal axis

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Away from the midline

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

Moving along a limb towards the torso attachment

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

Away from attached base

Question 9

Superior

Answer 9

Above (towards head)

Question 10

Inferior

Answer 10

Below

Question 11

Cranial or Rostal

Answer 11

Towards the head (cranium)

Question 12

Caudal

Answer 12

Tail

Question 13

Superficial

Answer 13

Located to or on the body surface

Question 14

Deep

Answer 14

Further beneath the body surfaces than superficial structures

Question 15

Frontal

Answer 15

Separates anterior and posterior portions of the body

Question 16

Coronal

Answer 16

Associated with frontal but refers to the head region

Question 17

Midsagittal (median)

Answer 17

Passes through midline, dividing body in right and left halves

Question 18

Parasagittal

Answer 18

Parallel to midsagittal (not on midline), right and left halves unequal

Question 19

Transverse (horizontal)

Answer 19

Separates superior and inferior portions of the body