Directional Terms In Human Anatomy

Question 1

Dorsal

Answer 1

Towards the back or the spine

Question 2

Anterior

Answer 2

Toward the ventral side or front of body (belly)

Question 3

Posterior

Answer 3

Toward the dorsal side or the back

Question 4

Cephalic

Answer 4

Toward the head or superior end

Question 5

Rostral

Answer 5

Towards the forehead or nose

Question 6

Caudal

Answer 6

Towards the tail or inferior end

Question 7

Superior

Answer 7

Above

Question 8

Inferior

Answer 8

Below

Question 9

Medial

Answer 9

Toward the median plane

Question 10

Lateral

Answer 10

Away from the median plane

Question 11

Proximal

Answer 11

Closer to the point of attachment or origin

Question 12

Distal

Answer 12

Farther from the point of attachment or origin

Question 13

Ipsilateral

Answer 13

On the same side of the body

Question 14

Contralateral

Answer 14

On opposite sides of the body

Question 15

Superficial

Answer 15

Closer to the body surface

Question 16

Deep

Answer 16

Farther from the body surface

Question 17

Ventral

Answer 17

Toward the front or the belly

Question 18

Sagittal plane

Answer 18

Passes vertically through the body and divides into left and right

Question 19

Median (misagittal) plane

Answer 19

Divides the body into equal halves

Question 20

Front (coronal) plane

Answer 20

Extends vertically and divides the body into front and back

Question 21

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Answer 21

Passes across the body or organ and divides into superior and inferior sections