Position and Directional Terms

Question 1

Anterior (ventral) - anter/o, ventr/o

Answer 1

Toward the front surface of the body
Example: The abdominal cavity is anterior
to the spinal cavity

Question 2

Posterior (dorsal) - poster/o , dors/o

Answer 2

Toward the back surface of the body.
Example: The spinal cavity is posterior to
the thoracic cavity.

Question 3

Deep

Answer 3

Away from the surface

Question 4

Proximal - Proxim/o

Answer 4

Toward the point of origin, or nearest the point of
attachment to the trunk.
Example: The elbow is proximal to the wrist
and the wrist is proximal to the fingers.

Question 5

Superficial

Answer 5

on surface

Question 6

Distal - Dist/o

Answer 6

Farthest away from the point of origin or attachment to the trunk.
Example: The intestines are distal to the
stomach and the stomach is distal to the esophagus.

Question 7

Inferior - Infer/o

Answer 7

Below; toward the tail
Example: The neck is inferior to the head.

Question 8

Superior - Super/o

Answer 8

Above or toward the head
Example: The head is superior to the neck

Question 9

Medial - Medi/o

Answer 9

Toward the midline of the body (Midline is an
imaginary line drawn center of body)
Example: The big toe is medial to the small toe

Question 10

Lateral - Later/o

Answer 10

Away from the midline
Example: The ear is lateral to the nose.

Question 11

Supine

Answer 11

laying on back facing up

Question 12

Prone

Answer 12

lying on the belly facing down

Question 13

Peripheral

Answer 13

Away from the center
Example: Peripheral nerves are those that go away
from the brain and spinal cord.