Directional Terms

Question 1

Ventral

Answer 1

p.t. to the belly; closer to the belly; toward the ground

The heart is ventral to the spine

Question 2

Cranial

Answer 2

p.t. the head; closer to the head

The neck is cranial to the tail

Question 3

Caudal

Answer 3

p.t. The tail; closer to the tail

The hindlimb is caudal to the forelimb

Question 4

Medial

Answer 4

p.t. The middle; closer to the median plane; closer to the midline

( the dewclaw is medial to the other digits)

Question 5

Dorsal

Answer 5

p.t. the back; closer to the back; away from the ground

The spine is dorsal to the sternum

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

p.t. The side; further from the median plane; further from the midline

(The ribs are lateral to the heart)

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

p.t. The beginning; nearer the point of attachment

The patella is distal to the femur

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

p.t. Far from the beginning; farther from the point of attachment

(The patella is distal to the femur)

Question 9

Superficial

Answer 9

Nearer the surface of the body

A paper cut is superficial

Question 10

Deep

Answer 10

Farther from the surface of the body

A stab wound is deep

Question 11

Plantar

Answer 11

p.t. The caudal surface of the rear paw (pes) and tarus

The dog has a laceration on the plantar aspect of its left paw

Question 12

Palmar

Answer 12

p.t. The caudal surface of the front paw (manus) and carpus

The dog has a laceration on the palmar aspect of its left paw

Question 13

Rostral

Answer 13

p.t. The nose; closer to the nose

The hard palate is rostral to to the soft palate