Anatomic Directional Terms

Question 1

Anterior

Answer 1

In front of; towards the front surface

Relative to front or back of the body

Question 2

Posterior

Answer 2

In back of; toward the back surface

Relative to front or back of the body

Question 3

Dorsal

Answer 3

Toward the back side of the human body

Relative to front or back of the body

Question 4

Ventral

Answer 4

Toward the belly side of the human body

Relative to front or back of the body

Question 5

Superior

Answer 5

Closer to thehead

Relative to the head or bottom of body

Question 6

Inferior

Answer 6

Closer to the feet

Relative to the head or bottom of the body

Question 7

Cranial (cephalic)

Answer 7

Toward the head end

Relative to the head or bottom of the body

Question 8

Caudal

Answer 8

Toward the rear or the tail end

Relative to the head or bottom of the body

Question 9

Rostral

Answer 9

Toward the nose or mouth

Relative to the head or bottom of the body

Question 10

Medial

Answer 10

Toward the mid-line of the body

Relative to the head or bottom of the body

Lungs are medial to the shoulder

Question 11

Lateral

Answer 11

Away from the mid-line of the body

Relative to the head or bottom of the body

The arms are lateral to the heart

Question 12

Ipsilateral

Answer 12

On the same side

Relative to the head or bottom of the body

The right arm is ipsilateral to the right leg

Question 13

Contralateral

Answer 13

On the opposite side
Relative to the head or bottom of the body

Question 14

Deep

Answer 14

Closer to the inside, internal to another structure

Relative to the head or bottom of the body

The heart is deep to the rib cage

Question 15

Superficial

Answer 15

Closer to the outside, external to another structure

Relative to the head or bottom of the body

The skin is superficial to the biceps brachii muscle

Question 16

Abdominal

Answer 16

Region inferior to the thorax (chest) and superior to the pelvic brim of the hip bones

Question 17

Antebrachial

Answer 17

Forearm (the portion of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist)

Question 18

Antecubital

Answer 18

Region anterior to the elbow; also known as the cubital region

Question 19

Auricular

Answer 19

Visible surface structures of the ear

Question 20

Axillary

Answer 20

Armpit

Question 21

Brachial

Answer 21

Arm (the portion of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow)

Question 22

Buccal

Answer 22

Cheek

Question 23

Calcaneal

Answer 23

Heel of the foot

Question 24

Carpal

Answer 24

Wrist

Question 25

Cephalic

Answer 25

Head

Question 26

Cervical

Answer 26

Neck

Question 27

Cranial

Answer 27

Skull

Question 28

Crural

Answer 28

Leg (the portion of the lower limb between the knee and the ankle)

Question 29

Deltoid

Answer 29

Shoulder

Question 30

Digital

Answer 30

Fingers or toes crossed

Question 31

Dorsal/Dorsum

Answer 31

Back

Question 32

Facial

Answer 32

Face

Question 33

Femoral

Answer 33

Thigh

Question 34

Fibular

Answer 34

Lateral aspect of the leg

Question 35

Frontol

Answer 35

Forehead

Question 36

Gluteal

Answer 36

Buttock

Question 37

Hallux

Answer 37

Great Toe

Question 38

Hip

Answer 38

Lateral region between trunk and thigh

Question 39

Inguinal

Answer 39

Groin (sometimes used to indicate the crease between the thigh and the trunk)

Question 40

Lumbar

Answer 40

The "small of the back": the inferior part of the back between the ribs and the pelvis

Question 41

Mammary

Answer 41

Breast

Question 42

Manus

Answer 42

Hand

Question 43

Mental

Answer 43

Chin

Question 44

Nasal

Answer 44

Nose

Question 45

Occipital

Answer 45

Posterior aspect of the head

Question 46

Olecranal

Answer 46

Posterior aspect of the elbow

Question 47

Oral

Answer 47

Mouth

Question 48

Orbital

Answer 48

Eye

Question 49

Palmar

Answer 49

Palm

Question 50

Patellar

Answer 50

Kneecap

Question 51

Pectoral

Answer 51

Chest (Includes mammary)

Question 52

Pelvic

Answer 52

Pelvis; region inferior to the pelvic brim of the hip bones

Question 53

Perineal

Answer 53

Diamond shaped region between the thighs that contains the anus and external reproductive organs

Question 54

Pes

Answer 54

Foot

Question 55

Plantar

Answer 55

Sole of the foot

Question 56

Pollex

Answer 56

Thumb

Question 57

Popliteal

Answer 57

Area posterior to the knee

Question 58

Pubic

Answer 58

Anterior region of the pelvis

Question 59

Radial

Answer 59

Lateral aspect (Thumb side) of forearm

Question 60

Sacral

Answer 60

Posterior region between the hip bones

Question 61

Scapular retraction

Answer 61

Shoulder blade

Question 62

Sternal

Answer 62

Anterior middle region of the thorax

Question 63

Sural

Answer 63

Calf (posterior part of the leg)

Question 64

Tarsal

Answer 64

Proximal part of the foot and ankle

Question 65

Thoracic

Answer 65

Part of the torso superior to thoracic diaphragm; contains the pectoral, axillary, and sternal regions Explain the three other terms in flashcard

Question 66

Tibial

Answer 66

Medial aspect of the leg

Question 67

Ulnar

Answer 67

Medial aspect (pinky side) of the forarm

Question 68

Umbilicial

Answer 68

Navel

Question 69

Vertebral

Answer 69

Spinal column

Question 70

Proximal

Answer 70

Closer to point of attachment to the trunk Relative to point of attachment of appendage

Question 71

Distal

Answer 71

Farther away from point of attachment to trunk Relative to attachment of appendage