Directional Terms, Anatomic Planes, Regions, & Quadrants

Question 1

caudad

Answer 1

toward the tail

Question 2

cephalad

Answer 2

toward the head

Question 3

superior

Answer 3

pertaining to above

Question 4

proximal

Answer 4

pertaining to near

Question 5

epigastric region

Answer 5

superior to the umbilical region

Question 6

liver (quadrant)

Answer 6

right upper

Question 7

gallbladder (quadrant)

Answer 7

right upper

Question 8

transverse

Answer 8

horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions

Question 9

coronal

Answer 9

vertical plane passing through the body from side to side, dividing the body into anterior or posterior portions

Question 10

midsagittal

Answer 10

vertical plane passing through the body from front to back at the midline, dividing the body equally into right and left halves

Question 11

parasagittal

Answer 11

vertical plane passing through the body from front to back, dividing the body into unequal left and
right sides

Question 12

prone position

Answer 12

lying on abdomen, facing downward (head may be turned to one side)

Question 13

supine position

Answer 13

lying on back, facing upward

Question 14

orthopnea position

Answer 14

sitting upright in a chair or in bed supported by pillows behind the back. Sometimes the patient tilts
forward resting on a pillow supported by an overbed table (also called orthopneic position).

Question 15

appendix (quadrant)

Answer 15

right lower

Question 16

heart (quadrant)

Answer 16

right upper