Directional Terms

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

Toward the top (Cephalic is toward the head)

Question 2

Inferior

Answer 2

Toward the bottom (Caudal is toward the tail or coccyx)

Question 3

Anterior

Answer 3

Toward the front (Ventral is toward the belly)

Question 4

Posterior

Answer 4

Toward the back (Dorsal is equivalent to the back)

Question 5

Distal

Answer 5

Further from the trunk or the origin point of a body part

Question 6

Proximal

Answer 6

Closer to the trunk or the origin point of a body part

Question 7

Superficial

Answer 7

Toward the body surface

Question 8

Deep (Internal)

Answer 8

Further from the body surface

Question 9

Medial

Answer 9

Toward the midline

Question 10

Lateral

Answer 10

Toward the side or away from the midline

Question 11

Anatomical Position

Answer 11

Hands at sides, palms forward

Question 12

Supine

Answer 12

Lying down, face up

Question 13

Prone

Answer 13

Lying down, face down

Question 14

Sagittal Plane

Answer 14

Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right portions

Question 15

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Answer 15

Vertical plane dividing the body into front and back portions

Question 16

Midsagittal Plane

Answer 16

Lies in the middle

Question 17

Parasagittal Plane

Answer 17

Offset from the middle

Question 18

Transverse Plane

Answer 18

Horizontal plane dividing the body into top and bottom portions