Lab: Anatomical Terminology

Question 1

longitude plane dividing an organism into left and right

Answer 1

sagittal plane

Question 2

mid-line of the sagittal plane

Answer 2

median plane

Question 3

longitude plane that divides an organism into dorsal (spine) and ventral (belly)

Answer 3

frontal plane

Question 4

perpendicular plane along the long axis (cut at the waist)

Answer 4

transverse plane

Question 5

in front of (before); as in direction of movement

Answer 5

anterior

Question 6

in back of (behind); as in direction of movement

Answer 6

posterior

Question 7

toward the belly

Answer 7

ventral

Question 8

toward the spine

Answer 8

dorsal

Question 9

toward the head

Answer 9

cranial

Question 10

toward the beak (not used for humans)

Answer 10

cephalic rostral

Question 11

toward the tail

Answer 11

caudal

Question 12

above; in relation to gravity

Answer 12

superior

Question 13

below; in relation to gravity

Answer 13

inferior

Question 14

toward the median plane

Answer 14

medial

Question 15

away from the median plane

Answer 15

lateral

Question 16

toward the attachment of an appendage

Answer 16

proximal

Question 17

away from the attachment of an appendage

Answer 17

distal

Question 18

near the body’s surface

Answer 18

superficial

Question 19

away from the body’s surface

Answer 19

deep

Question 20

same side of the body as your reference point

Answer 20

ipsilateral

Question 21

opposite side of the body than your reference point

Answer 21

contralateral