Medical Terminology: Anatomical Positions

Question 1

Anatomical Position

Answer 1

Standing erect, looking forward, arms at side, palms forward

Question 2

Sagittal/Median

Answer 2

Divides body left from right

Question 3

Coronal/Frontal

Answer 3

Divides body front from back

Question 4

Transverse/Horizontal

Answer 4

Divides body top from bottom

Question 5

Supine

Answer 5

Laying down on back

Question 6

Prone

Answer 6

Laying down on stomach

Question 7

Cranial Cavity

Answer 7

Head cavity

Question 8

Spinal/Vertebral Cavity

Answer 8

Spine/vertebrae cavity

Question 9

Dorsal Cavities

Answer 9

Head & spine/vertebrae cavities - cavities in the back

Question 10

Thoracic Cavity

Answer 10

Chest cavity

Question 11

Abdominal Cavity

Answer 11

Abdomen cavity

Question 12

Pelvic Cavity

Answer 12

Pelvis cavity

Question 13

Ventral Cavities

Answer 13

Thoracic/abdominal/pelvic cavities - cavities in the front

Question 14

Upper Right Quadrant

Answer 14

Liver, gallbladder, right kidney

Question 15

Upper Left Quadrant

Answer 15

Stomach, pancreas, spleen, left kidney

Question 16

Lower Right Quadrant

Answer 16

Cecum, appendix, right ovary

Question 17

Lower Left Quadrant

Answer 17

Left ovary

Question 18

Medial

Answer 18

Towards midline

Question 19

Lateral

Answer 19

Away from midline

Question 20

Superior

Answer 20

Towards the head

Question 21

Inferior

Answer 21

Towards the feet

Question 22

Anterior

Answer 22

Towards the front

Question 23

Posterior

Answer 23

Towards the back

Question 24

Proximal

Answer 24

Closer to point of origin

Question 25

Distal

Answer 25

Away from point of origin

Question 26

Superficial

Answer 26

Towards the skin/outside surface

Question 27

Deep

Answer 27

Towards core of body part