Directional Terms

Question 1

superior

Answer 1

above; toward the head

Question 2

cranial

Answer 2

above; toward the head

Question 3

inferior

Answer 3

below; toward the lower end of the body or tail

Question 4

caudal

Answer 4

below; toward the lower end of the body or tail

Question 5

anterior

Answer 5

front surface of the body; belly side of the body

Question 6

ventral

Answer 6

front surface of the body; belly side of the body

Question 7

posterior

Answer 7

back surface of the body

Question 8

dorsal

Answer 8

back surface of the body

Question 9

medial

Answer 9

toward the midline

Question 10

lateral

Answer 10

away from the midline

Question 11

proximal

Answer 11

1. nearest the point of attachment to the trunk (arms & legs)
2. toward the point of origin (digestive tract)

Question 12

distal

Answer 12

farthest from the point of:

1. attachment to the trunk
2. origin

Question 13

superficial

Answer 13

near the surface of the body

Question 14

deep

Answer 14

away from the surface of the body

Question 15

supine

Answer 15

lying on the back, face up, palms up

Question 16

prone

Answer 16

lying on the abdomen, face down, palms down

Question 17

plantar

Answer 17

sole of the foot

Question 18

dorsum

Answer 18

upper portion of the foot

Question 19

peripheral

Answer 19

away from the center

Question 20

frontal plane

Answer 20

separates structures into anterior and posterior

Question 21

sagittal plane

Answer 21

separates structures into right and left sides

Question 22

midsagittal section

Answer 22

sagittal section divides the body into equal portions

Question 23

transverse

Answer 23

separates structures into superior and inferior

Question 24

horizontal

Answer 24

separates structures into superior and inferior