General Anatomy: Directional Terms

Question 1

Anterior(Ventral)

Answer 1

Direction towards the front of the body ex the toes are anterior to the foot.

Question 2

Posterior(Dorsal)

Answer 2

Back/Direction towards back of body ex the popliteus is posterior to the patella

Question 3

Superior(Cranial)

Answer 3

Above or higher than another part of body the Orbits are superior to the Oris

Question 4

Inferior(Caudal)

Answer 4

Position below or lower than another part of the body ex the pelvis is inferior to the abdomen

Question 5

Lateral

Answer 5

A direction toward the side of the body or away form midline ex the pollex is lateral to the digits

Question 6

Medial

Answer 6

Direction Towards midline ex the hallux is medial to the toe

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

Describes a point that is nearer to point of attachment/the trunk of the body ex the brachium is proximal to the antebrachium

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

position in limb that is further from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The crus is distal to the femur

Question 9

Superficial

Answer 9

Closer to the subface of body ex the skin is superficial to the bones

Question 10

Deep

Answer 10

position further from the surface of the body ex the brain is deep to the skull

Question 11

Unilateral

Answer 11

Situated on or affecting only one side of the body

Question 12

Bilateral

Answer 12

Situated affecting both sides of the body

Question 13

Ipsilateral

Answer 13

Situated on or affecting the same side of the body

Question 14

Contralateral

Answer 14

situated or affecting the opposite side of the body