Directional Terms

Question 1

What is the definition of a Plane?

Answer 1

A Plane is a surface, real or imaginary, along which any two points can be connected by a straight line

Question 2

What is the definition of the Median Plane?

Answer 2

The Median Plane divides the head, body, or limb longitudinally into equal right and left halves

Question 3

What is the definition of the Sagittal Plane?

Answer 3

The Sagittal Plane passes through the head, body, or limb parallel to the median plane

Question 4

What is the definition of the Transverse Plane?

Answer 4

The Transverse Plane cuts across the head, body, or limb at a right angle to its long axis or across the long axis of an organ or part

Question 5

What is the definition of the Dorsal Plane?

Answer 5

The Dorsal Plane runs at right angles to the median and transverse planes, and this divides the body or head into dorsal and ventral portions

Question 6

What is the definition of Dorsal?

Answer 6

Toward or relatively near the back and corresponding surface of the head, neck, and tail; on the limbs, it applies to the upper or front surface of the carpus, tarsus, metapodium, and digits (opposite to the side with the pads)

Question 7

What is the definition of Ventral?

Answer 7

Toward or relatively near the belly and the corresponding surface of the head, neck, thorax, and tail.

This term is never used for the limbs.

Question 8

What is the definition of Medial?

Answer 8

Toward or relatively near the median plane

Question 9

What is the definition of Lateral?

Answer 9

Away from or relatively farther from the median plane

Question 10

What is the definition of Cranial?

Answer 10

Toward or relatively near the head; on the limbs, it applies proximal to the carpus and tarsus.

When referring to the head it is replaced by the term rostral

Question 11

What is the definition of Rostral?

Answer 11

Toward or relatively near the nose; applies to the head only

Question 12

What is the definition of Caudal?

Answer 12

Toward or relatively near the tail; on the limbs, it applies proximal to the carpus and tarsus.

Also used in reference to the head

Question 13

What is the definition of Internal or Inner?

Answer 13

Close to, or in the direction of, the centre of an organ, body cavity, or structure

Question 14

What is the definition of External or Outer?

Answer 14

Away from the centre of an organ or structure

Question 15

What is the definition of Superficial?

Answer 15

Relatively near the surface of the body or the surface of an organ

Question 16

What is the definition of Deep?

Answer 16

Relatively near the centre of the body or the centre of a solid organ

Question 17

What is the definition of Proximal?

Answer 17

Relatively near the main mass or origin; in the limbs and tail, the attached end

Question 18

What is the definition of Distal?

Answer 18

Away from the main mass or origin; in the limbs and tail, the free end

Question 19

What is the definition of Radial?

Answer 19

On that side of the forearm (antebrachium) in which the radius is located

Question 20

What is the definition of Ulnar?

Answer 20

On that side of the forearm (antebrachium) in which the ulna is located

Question 21

What is the definition of Tibial and Fibular?

Answer 21

On the corresponding sides of the leg (crus), the tibial side being medial and the fibular side being lateral

Question 22

What is the definition of Palmar?

Answer 22

Palmar is the aspect of the forepaw on which the pads are located - the surface that contacts the ground in the standing animal - and the corresponding surface of the metapodium and carpus

Question 23

What is the definition of Plantar?

Answer 23

Plantar is the aspect of the hindpaw on which the pads are located - the surface that contacts the ground in the standing animal - and the corresponding surface of the metapodium and tarsus.

The opposite surface of both forepaw and hindpaw is known as the dorsal surface

Question 24

What is the definition of Axis?

Answer 24

Axis is the central line of the body or any of its parts

Question 25

What is the definition of Axial/Abaxial?

Answer 25

Axial/Abaxial means of, pertaining to, or relative to this axis.

In referring to the digits, the functional axis of the limb passes between the third and fourth digits.

The axial surface of the digit faces the axis, and the abaxial surface faces away from the axis

Question 26

What is the definition of Flexion?

Answer 26

Flexion is the movement of one bone in relation to another in such a manner that the angle formed at their joint is reduced

The limb is retracted or folded; the digit is bent; the back is arched dorsally

Question 27

What is the definition of Extension?

Answer 27

Extension is the movement of one bone upon another such that the angle formed at their joint increases.

The limb reaches out or is extended; the digit is straightened; the back is straightened,

Extension beyond 180 degrees is overextension

Question 28

What is the definition of Abduction?

Answer 28

Abduction is the movement of a part away from the median plane

Question 29

What is the definition of Adduction?

Answer 29

Adduction is the movement of a part toward the median plane

Question 30

What is the definition of Circumduction?

Answer 30

Circumduction is the movement of a part when outlining the surface of a cone (e.g. the arm extended drawing a circle)

Question 31

What is the definition of Rotation?

Answer 31

Rotation is the movement of a part around its long axis (e.g. the action of the radius when using a screwdriver).

The direction of rotation of a limb or segment of a limb on its long axis is designated by the direction of movement of its cranial or dorsal surface (e.g. in mdial rotation of the arm the crest of the greater tubercle is turned medially)

Question 32

What is the definition of Supination?

Answer 32

Supination is the lateral rotation of the appendage so that the palmar or plantar surface of the paw faces medially

Question 33

What is the definition of Pronation?

Answer 33

Pronation is the medial rotation of the appendage from the supine position so that the palmar or plantar surface will face the substrate