Positional/Directional Terms

Question 1

anterior

Answer 1

front

Question 2

bilateral

Answer 2

pertaining to both sides

Question 3

caudal

Answer 3

tail (coccygeal area)

Question 4

cephalic

Answer 4

head

Question 5

dextro

Answer 5

right

Question 6

distal

Answer 6

farther away from

Question 7

dorsal recumbent position

Answer 7

lying on back with knees up and feet flat on table palms facing up

Question 8

eversion

Answer 8

turning outward or inside out

Question 9

extension

Answer 9

bringing a limb to a straight position

Question 10

external

Answer 10

outside

Question 11

flexion

Answer 11

bending a limb or body part at the joint

Question 12

Fowler’s position

Answer 12

raising the head of the bed up to 90 degrees

Question 13

inferior

Answer 13

below or directed downward

Question 14

internal

Answer 14

inside

Question 15

knee-chest, knee-elbow

Answer 15

drawing knees to the chest, lying on elbows and knees

Question 16

lateral

Answer 16

side, away from middle

Question 17

lithotomy position

Answer 17

on the back, with feet raised and knees at 90 degrees

Question 18

medial

Answer 18

midline

Question 19

oblique

Answer 19

slanting, on an incline

Question 20

peripheral

Answer 20

outside the central area

Question 21

posterior

Answer 21

back

Question 22

prone position

Answer 22

lying on abdomen palms facing up

Question 23

proximal

Answer 23

toward the center or point of attachment

Question 24

quadrant

Answer 24

dividing an area horizontally/vertically into four parts

Question 25

recumbent

Answer 25

lying down

Question 26

rotation

Answer 26

turning around an axis

Question 27

Sims’ position

Answer 27

lateral with one knee and thigh up

Question 28

sinistro

Answer 28

left

Question 29

superior

Answer 29

above or directed upward

Question 30

supine

Answer 30

lying on the back

Question 31

Trendelenburg position

Answer 31

lying with head lower than legs