oreintation and directional terms

Question 1

superior (cranial)

Answer 1

toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

the head is superior to the abdomen

Question 2

interior (caudal)

Answer 2

away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

the navel is inferior to the chin

Question 3

ventral (anterior)

Answer 3

towards or at the front of the body; in front of

the breastbone is anterior to the spine

Question 4

dorsal (posterior)

Answer 4

toward or at the back of the body; behind

the heart is posterior to the breastbone

Question 5

medial

Answer 5

toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

the heart is medial to the arm

Question 6

lateral

Answer 6

away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

the arms are lateral to the chest

Question 7

intermediate

Answer 7

between a more medial and a more lateral structure

the collarbone is intermediate between the beastbone and shoulder

Question 8

proximal

Answer 8

close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

the elbow is proximal to the wrist

Question 9

distal

Answer 9

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

the knee is distal to the thigh

Question 10

superficial (external)

Answer 10

toward or at the body surface

the skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles

Question 11

deep (internal)

Answer 11

away from the body surface; more internal

the lungs are deep to the skin