Relative Positions of Body Parts

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

Towards the head: “the thorax is superior to the abdomen”

Question 2

Inferior

Answer 2

Away from the head: “the legs are inferior to the trunk”

Question 3

Medial

Answer 3

Towards the midline: “The heart is medial to the lungs”

Question 4

Lateral

Answer 4

Towards the side: “The ears are lateral to the head”

Question 5

Ipsilateral

Answer 5

Same side

Question 6

Contralateral

Answer 6

opposite side

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

Toward the main mass of the body: “The knee is proximal to to the foot”

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

Away from the main mass of the body: “The hand is distal to the elbow”

Question 9

Superficial

Answer 9

Towards the surface of the body: “The skin is superficial to the muscles”

Question 10

Deep

Answer 10

Away from the surface of the body: “A deep wound”

Question 11

Central

Answer 11

At the center: “The brain and spinal cord are part of the central nervous system”

Question 12

Peripheral

Answer 12

Around the outside: “The popliteal nerve is part of the peripheral nervous system”