Positional Terminology and Planes

Question 1

Anterior

Answer 1

Front or toward the front of the body

Question 2

Ventral

Answer 2

Front or toward the front of the body

Question 3

Posterior

Answer 3

Back or toward the back of the body

Question 4

Dorsal

Answer 4

Back or toward the back of the body

Question 5

Caudal

Answer 5

Near or toward the tail

Question 6

Prone

Answer 6

Lying on the stomach, face down

Question 7

Supine

Answer 7

Laying on the back, face up

Question 8

Lateral

Answer 8

On the side or toward the side of the body

Question 9

Medial or median

Answer 9

In the middle or toward the middle of the body

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

Nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

Farther from the point of attachment or trunk of the body

Question 12

Superficial

Answer 12

Nearer to the surface of the body

Question 13

Deep

Answer 13

Farther from the surface of the body

Question 14

Superior

Answer 14

Above or higher than another part

Question 15

Inferior

Answer 15

Below or lower than another part

Question 16

Central

Answer 16

Near the center (median) of the body or middle of an organ

Question 17

Peripheral

Answer 17

Away from the center (midline) of the body or an organ

Question 18

Frontal plane

Answer 18

Divides the body or organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (rear) portion.

Question 19

Saggital plane

Answer 19

Divides the body or organ lengthwise into right and left sections. If the vertical plane runs exactly down the midline or the body it is a midsaggital plane, otherwise it can run down vertically at any point.

Question 20

Transversal plane

Answer 20

Divides the body into a superior (top) portion and an inferior (bottom) portion. Can go anywhere to create cross sections.