Directions of The Human Body

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

above, or towards the top of the body; the head is superior to the neck

Question 2

Inferior

Answer 2

below, or towards the bottom of the body; the foot is inferior to the ankle

Question 3

Medial

Answer 3

at or closer to the middle of the body; the left ribs are more medial than the left elbow.

Question 4

Lateral

Answer 4

further from the middle of the body; the pinky and thumb are more lateral to the middle of the hand than the middle finger

Question 5

Axial

Answer 5

the parts of the body that are lined up along the spine; the axial system is the head, neck, ribs, spine, and pelvis (and all the organs/muscle in that same area)

Question 6

Appendicular

Answer 6

the parts of the body that branch away from the axial system; the limbs (“the appendages”) like legs and arms.

Question 7

Anterior

Answer 7

The front half of your body; face, chest, stomach, etc

Question 8

Posterior

Answer 8

That back half of your body (remember: your posterior (your butt) is on the posterior side of your body.

Question 9

Which plane splits the body into left and right halves?

Answer 9

The sagittal plane

Question 10

Which plane splits the body ACROSS into a top half and a bottom half?

Answer 10

The transverse plane

Question 11

Which plane splits the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) halves?

Answer 11

The frontal plane