Directional Terms

Question 0

Superficial

Answer 0

Toward or at the surface of the body. Ex: the skin is superficial to the skeleton.

Question 1

Distal

Answer 1

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of s limb to the body trunk. Ex: the knee is distal to the thigh

Question 2

Deep

Answer 2

Away from the body surface. Ex: the lungs are deep to the rib cage

Question 3

Superior

Answer 3

Toward the head or upper part of body structure. Ex: forehead

Question 4

Inferior

Answer 4

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure of the body. Ex: the navel is inferior to the breastbone.

Question 5

Ventral (anterior)

Answer 5

Toward or at the front of the body. Ex: breastbone anterior to spine

Question 6

Dorsal (posterior)

Answer 6

Toward or at the backside of the body. Ex: heart is posterior to breastbone.

Question 7

Medial

Answer 7

Toward or at the midline of the body. Ex: heart medial to the arm.

Question 8

Lateral

Answer 8

Away from midline of the body. Ex: arms lateral to chest

Question 9

Intermediate

Answer 9

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure. Ex: collarbone is intermediate between breastbone and shoulder.

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk. Ex: elbow is proximal to wrist (meaning elbow is closer to attachment point i.e. shoulder than the wrist).