directional terms

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

Toward head

Ex) the chin’s superior to the ankle

Question 2

Inferior

Answer 2

Away from the head

Ex) the ankle is inferior to the chin

Question 3

Anterior

Answer 3

Close to the front of the body

Ex) the sternum is anterior compared to the spine

Question 4

Posterior

Answer 4

Close to the back of the body

Ex) the scapula is posterior to the clavicle

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Towards midline

Ex) the nose is medial to the eyes

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Away from the midline

Ex) the lungs are lateral to the heart

Question 7

Intermediate

Answer 7

Between two structures

Ex) the heart is intermediate to the lungs

Question 8

Proximal

Answer 8

Near point of attachment

Ex) the humerus is proximal to the radius

Question 9

Distal

Answer 9

Farther from point of attachment

Ex) the wrist is distal to the elbow

Question 10

Superficial

Answer 10

Towards surface of the body

Ex) the skin is superficial to the muscle

Question 11

Deep

Answer 11

Away from surface off the body

Ex) the muscle is feel to the skin

Question 12

Dorsal

Answer 12

Referring to the back of an animal or backside of a structure

Ex) the buttock lies on the dorsal side

Question 13

Ventral

Answer 13

Referring to the front of a structure or belly side of an animal

Ex) the nose lies on the central side

Question 14

Anatomical position

Answer 14

Stand upright, face forward, palms forward