Directional Terms

Question 1

Deep

Answer 1

away from the surface of the body. eg. the ribs are deep to the skin of the chest and back

Question 2

Superficial

Answer 2

toward or on the surface of the body. eg. the ribs are superficial to the lungs

Question 3

Distal

Answer 3

farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk; farther from the origination of a structure.
Eg. the wrist is distal to the shoulder

Question 4

Proximal

Answer 4

Near the attachment site of a limb to the trunk, near to the origination of a structure
Eg. the elbow is proximal to the wrist

Question 5

Contralateral

Answer 5

on the opposite side of the body’s midline from other structure.
Eg. the ascending and descending colons are contralateral

Question 6

Ipsilateral

Answer 6

on the same side of the body’s midline as another structure.
Eg. the gallbladder and ascending colon are ipsilateral

Question 7

Intermediate

Answer 7

between two structures.

Eg. the transverse colon is intermediate to the ascending colon and descending colon

Question 8

Lateral

Answer 8

farther from the midline

eg. the lungs are lateral to the heart

Question 9

Medial

Answer 9

nearer to the midline

eg. the ulna is medial to the radius

Question 10

Posterior

Answer 10

nearer to or at the back of the body.

eg. the esophagus is posterior to the trachea

Question 11

Anterior

Answer 11

nearer to or at the front of the body.

eg. the sternum is anterior to the heart

Question 12

Inferior

Answer 12

below or in a lower position; toward the feet (not used in reference to limbs)
eg. the stomach is inferior to the lungs

Question 13

Cranial

Answer 13

relating the skull or head; toward the head

eg. the stomach is more cranial than the urinary bladder

Question 14

Superior

Answer 14

above or higher in position; toward the head (not used in reference to the limbs
eg. the heart is superior to the liver