Directional Terms

Question 1

Superficial

Answer 1

Pertaining to the surface of the body or near the surface

Question 2

Deep

Answer 2

Away from the surface and toward the inside of the body

Question 3

Anterior

Answer 3

Pertaining to the front of the body or toward the Nelly of the body

Question 4

Posterior

Answer 4

Pertaining to the back of the body

Question 5

Ventral

Answer 5

Of or pertaining to a position toward the belly of the body. Also, frontward or anterior.

Question 6

Dorsal

Answer 6

Pertaining to the back, or posterior

Question 7

Medial

Answer 7

Toward the midline of the body

Question 8

Lateral

Answer 8

Toward the side of the body, away from the midline of the body

Question 9

Superior

Answer 9

Above or upward toward the head

Question 10

Inferior

Answer 10

Below or downward toward the tail or feet

Question 11

Cranial

Answer 11

Pertaining to the head

Question 12

Caudal

Answer 12

Pertaining to the tail

Question 13

Distal

Answer 13

Away from or farthest from the trunk of the body or farthest from the point of origin on a body part

Question 14

Proximal

Answer 14

Toward or near to the point of origin

Question 15

Supine

Answer 15

Lying on the back, facing up

Question 16

Prone

Answer 16

Lying facedown

Question 17

Supinate

Answer 17

Turning palms of hands upward or forward, or raising the medial side of the foot.

Question 18

Pronate

Answer 18

Turning palms of hands downward, or turning the foot so that the inner sole bears the weight.

Question 19

Plantar

Answer 19

Pertaining to the sole, or bottom, of the foot

Question 20

Dorsum

Answer 20

Back, or posterior, surface

Question 21

Anasplasia

Answer 21

Change in the structure and orientation of the cells

Question 22

Aplasia

Answer 22

Absence of any organ or tissue

Question 23

Dysplasia

Answer 23

Abnormal development of tissues or organs

Question 24

Hyperplasia

Answer 24

Excessive formation

Question 25

Neoplasia

Answer 25

New abnormal development of cells, benign or malignant

Question 26

Frontal plane aka coronal plane

Answer 26

Any vertical planes passing through the body from head to the feet that divide the body into front (anterior) and back(posterior)

Question 27

Midsagittal Plane aka Median plane

Answer 27

A vertical plane through the middle of the body that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Question 28

Transverse Plane

Answer 28

A horizontal field dividing the body into upper (top) and lower (bottom) portions