directional terms of the body

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

toward the head, or the upper part of a structure

Question 2

Inferior

Answer 2

away from the head, or the lower part of a structure

Question 3

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 3

nearer to or at the front of the body

Question 4

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 4

nearer to or at the back of the body

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

nearer to the midline

Question 6

Midline

Answer 6

an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into equal right and left sides

Question 7

Lateral

Answer 7

farther from the midline

Question 8

Intermediate

Answer 8

between two structures

Question 9

Ipsilateral

Answer 9

on the same side of the body as another structure

Question 10

Contralateral

Answer 10

on the opposite side of the body from another structure

Question 11

Proximal

Answer 11

nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk; nearer to the origination of a structure

Question 12

Distal

Answer 12

farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk; farther from the origination of a structure

Question 13

Superficial (external)

Answer 13

toward or on the surface of the body

Question 14

Deep (internal)

Answer 14

away from the surface of the body