Directional Terms

Question 1

Cranial or Cephalic

Answer 1

the head end

Question 2

caudal

Answer 2

the tail end

Question 3

ventral

Answer 3

belly side

Question 4

dorsal

Answer 4

back side

Question 5

superior

Answer 5

upper portion, or that which is above

Question 6

inferior

Answer 6

lower portion, or that which is below

Question 7

supra-

Answer 7

above

Question 8

infra-

Answer 8

below

Question 9

anterior

Answer 9

forward surface or toward the front

Question 10

posterior

Answer 10

rear surface or toward the rear

Question 11

medial

Answer 11

a location nearer the midline than another location

Question 12

lateral

Answer 12

a location farther from the midline than another location

Question 13

proximal

Answer 13

nearer the main axis of the body, or nearer the point of attachment

Question 14

distal

Answer 14

away from the main axis of the body, or away from the point of attachment

Question 15

superficial

Answer 15

at or near the surface

Question 16

deep

Answer 16

away from the surface

Question 17

transverse or cross

Answer 17

a plane that extends from left to right and from dorsal to ventral, giving cranial and caudal portions

Question 18

sagittal

Answer 18

a plane that extends from cranial to caudal dividing the body into right and left portions

Question 19

midsagittal

Answer 19

a plane that extends from cranial to caudal passing through the midline to divide the body into right and left halves

Question 20

frontal or coronal

Answer 20

a plane that extends from left to right and cranial to caudal, giving dorsal and ventral portions