Positional and Directional Terms

Question 1

Front side of the body.

Answer 1

anterior (ventral)

Question 2

Back side of the body.

Answer 2

posterior (dorsal)

Question 3

Away from the surface.

Answer 3

deep

Question 4

On the surface.

Answer 4

superficial

Question 5

Near the point of attachment to the trunk or near the beginning of a structure.

Answer 5

proximal

Question 6

Far from the point of attachment to the trunk or far from the beginning of a structure.

Answer 6

distal

Question 7

Below another structure.

Answer 7

inferior

Question 8

Above another structure.

Answer 8

superior

Question 9

Pertaining to the middle, or nearer the medial plane of the body.

Answer 9

medial

Question 10

Pertaining to the side.

Answer 10

lateral

Question 11

Lying on the back.

Answer 11

supine

Question 12

Lying on the belly.

Answer 12

prone

Question 13

Vertical plane dividing the body or structure into anterior and posterior positions.

Answer 13

frontal (coronal) plane

Question 14

Lengthwise vertical plane dividing the body or structure into right and left sides.

Answer 14

sagittal (lateral) plane

Question 15

Horizontal (cross-sectional) plane running across the body parallel to the ground.

Answer 15

transverse (axial) plane

Question 16

Body position in which the palms of the hands face outward and the fifth finger is in medial position while the thumb is lateral.

Answer 16

anatomic position