Terms of location and position(Directional terms)

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

E.g The head is superior to the abdomen.

Question 2

Inferior

Answer 2

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

E.g The navel is inferior to the chin.

Question 3

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 3

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

E.g The breastbone is anterior to the spine.

Question 4

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 4

Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

E.g The esophagus is posterior to the trachea (windpipe).

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

E.g -The heart is medial to the arm.
-The ulna is medial to the radius.

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

E.g -The lungs are lateral to the heart.
-The arms are lateral to the chest.

Question 7

Intermediate

Answer 7

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

E.g The collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and shoulder.

Question 8

Ipsilateral

Answer 8

On the same side of the body as another structure.

E.g The gallbladder and ascending colon are ipsilateral.

Question 9

Contralateral

Answer 9

On the opposite side of the body from another structure.

E.g The ascending and descending colons are contralateral.

Question 10

Proximal

Answer 10

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

E.g -The elbow is proximal to the
wrist.
-The humerus is proximal to the radius.

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

E.g -The knee is distal to the thigh.
-The phalanges are distal to the carpals.

Question 12

Superficial(External)

Answer 12

Toward or on the surface of the body.

E.g -The ribs are superficial to the lungs.
-The skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles.

Question 13

Deep (internal)

Answer 13

Away from the body surface; more internal.

E.g -The lungs are deep to the skin.
-The ribs are deep to the skin of the chest and back.

Question 14

Central

Answer 14

The main part.

E.g The brain is part of the central nervous system.

Question 15

Peripheral

Answer 15

Extending from the main part.

E.g Nerves in the arm are part of the peripheral nervous system.

Question 16

Parietal

Answer 16

Pertaining to the wall of a cavity.

E.g The parietal pleura lines the chest cavity.

Question 17

Visceral

Answer 17

Pertaining to the organs within a cavity.

E.g The visceral pleura covers the lungs.