Directional Terms

Question 1

Ventral

Answer 1

Toward the belly

Question 2

Dorsal

Answer 2

Toward the back

Question 3

Medial

Answer 3

Toward the body midline/center

Question 4

Lateral

Answer 4

On the side

Question 5

Proximal

Answer 5

Toward an origin or closest to body midline

Question 6

Distal

Answer 6

Farther away from an origin or farther from the body midline

Question 7

Superficial

Answer 7

Toward the surface

Question 8

Deep

Answer 8

Away from the surface

Question 9

Cranial

Answer 9

Toward the head

Question 10

Caudal

Answer 10

Toward the tail

Question 11

Palmar

Answer 11

Surface contact area of forepaw

Question 12

Plantar

Answer 12

Surface contact area of hindpaw

Question 13

Abduction

Answer 13

Movement of part away from median plane

Question 14

Adduction

Answer 14

Movement toward the median plane

Question 15

Rotation

Answer 15

Movement of part around axis

Question 16

Supination

Answer 16

Lateral rotation, palmar or plantar surface of paw faces medially

Question 17

Pronation

Answer 17

Medial rotation, palmar or plantar surface of paw faces laterally

Question 18

Frontal plane

Answer 18

Runs horizontal, divides specimen into dorsal and ventral

Question 19

Transverse plane

Answer 19

Runs through midsection, divides into cranial and caudal

Question 20

Sagittal plane (lateral plane)

Answer 20

Divides specimen into right and left sides

Question 21

Median plane

Answer 21

Divides into equal right and left sides

Question 22

Rostral

Answer 22

Toward or relatively near the nose: applies to head only

Question 23

Radial

Answer 23

On that side of the forearm that the radius is located

Question 24

Ulnar

Answer 24

On that side of the forearm that the ulna is located

Question 25

Tibial

Answer 25

Leg, medial

Question 26

Fibular

Answer 26

Leg, lateral

Question 27

Axial

Answer 27

Surface of the digit faces the axis

Question 28

Abaxial

Answer 28

Faces away from the axis