Directions & Positions

Question 1

Anatomical Position

Answer 1

Standing upright

• Face is directed forward
• Arms at side, palms facing forward
• Feet flat & facing forward

Question 2

Anterior (Ventral)

Answer 2

At or near front of body

knees, forearms, palms, chest

Question 3

Posterior (Dorsal)

Answer 3

At or near back of body

calves, back of hands, back

Question 4

Superior

Answer 4

Above

• The head is superior to the feet
• The hips are superior to the knees

Question 5

Inferior

Answer 5

Below

• The toes are inferior to the knees
• The chest is inferior to the head

Question 6

Medial

Answer 6

Toward the midline of the body

Question 7

Lateral

Answer 7

Away from the midline of the body

Question 8

Midline

Answer 8

An imaginary vertical line, dividing the body in half

Question 9

Proximal

Answer 9

Closer to trunk (torso)

• The knees are proximal to the feet
• The shoulder is proximal to the elbow

Question 10

Distal

Answer 10

Further from trunk (torso)

• The shins are distal to the knees
• The toes are distal to the ankles

Question 11

Supine

Answer 11

Laying on your back

Question 12

Prone

Answer 12

Laying on your stomach

Question 13

Superficial

Answer 13

Towards skin or at the body surface

- The rib cage is superficial to the lungs

Question 14

Deep

Answer 14

More internal; inside body near bone

The muscles are deep to the skin

Question 15

Plantar

Answer 15

Referring to the sole/bottom of the foot

Question 16

Palmar

Answer 16

Referring to the palm of the hand

Question 17

Ventral

Answer 17

Front side; similar to anterior

Question 18

Dorsal

Answer 18

Back of side

Question 19

Bilateral Symmetry

Answer 19

• Symmetrical halves on either side
• The human body is bilaterally symmetrical
• Left side is symmetrical to right side