Directional Terms to Describe Position of Anatomical Structures

Question 1

Bipeds

Answer 1

Two-footed animals

Question 2

Quadrupeds

Answer 2

Four-footed animals

Question 3

4 major directional terms for bipeds

Answer 3

1. Superior
2. Inferior
3. Anterior
4. Posterior

Question 4

Superior (bipeds)

Answer 4

Upper region of body

Question 5

Inferior (bipeds)

Answer 5

Lower region of body

Question 6

Anterior (bipeds)

Answer 6

Front or leading area of the animal

Question 7

Posterior (bipeds)

Answer 7

Back or trailing area of the animal

Question 8

4 major directional terms for quadrupeds

Answer 8

1. Cranial
2. Caudal
3. Dorsal
4. Ventral

Question 9

Cranial (quadrupeds)

Answer 9

Towards the head

Question 10

Caudal (quadrupeds)

Answer 10

Towards the tail

Question 11

Dorsal (quadrupeds)

Answer 11

Toward or beyond the backbone

Question 12

Ventral (quadrupeds)

Answer 12

Away from backbone or toward the belly

Question 13

Rostral (quadrupeds)

Answer 13

Toward the nose (structures within the animals head)

• use caudal for towards the tail

Question 14

4 Planes

Answer 14

1. Median
2. Sagittal
3. Transverse
4. Frontal

Question 15

Median (midsagittal) Plane

Answer 15

Divides body into equal right and left hemispheres

- plane through body craniocaudally

Question 16

Sagittal Plane

Answer 16

Any plane that is parallel to the median plane

Question 17

Transverse Plane

Answer 17

Plane that divides body into cranial and caudal segments

- cross section

Question 18

Frontal (horizontal) Plane

Answer 18

Plane that divides body into dorsal and ventral segments (upper and lower)

Question 19

Medial

Answer 19

Close or near the median plane

Question 20

Lateral

Answer 20

Away form median plane

Question 21

Proximal

Answer 21

Area nearest to point of origin/attachment of body part (limb)

Question 22

Distal

Answer 22

Area furthest from point of origin/attachment of body part (limb)

Question 23

Deep

Answer 23

Farther from surface

Question 24

Superficial

Answer 24

Closer to surface

Question 25

Palmar

Answer 25

Caudal surface of forelimb distal to the knee (or wrist)

Question 26

Plantar

Answer 26

Caudal surface of hindlimb distal to the hock (or ankles)

Question 27

Dorsal (limbs)

Answer 27

When referring to limbs, the cranial surface below the level of the knee or hock