Anatomical Directions

Question 1

Define Sagittal / Medial

Answer 1

divides the body or an organ into right and left sides

Question 2

Define Frontal (Coronal)

Answer 2

divides the body or organ into anterior and posterior sides

Question 3

Define Transverse (Horizontal)

Answer 3

divides the body or organ into superior and inferior halves

Question 4

Define Oblique

Answer 4

Passes through the body or organ at an oblique angle

Question 5

Define Towards the head, or the upper part of a structure

Answer 5

Superior (Cranial)

Question 6

Define away from head, or lower part of a structure

Answer 6

Inferior (Caudal)

Question 7

Define nearer to or at the front of body

Answer 7

Anterior (Ventral)

Question 8

Define nearer to or at the back of body

Answer 8

Posterior (Dorsal)

Question 9

Define Nearer to the midline

Answer 9

Medial

Question 10

Define further from the midline

Answer 10

Lateral

Question 11

Define between 2 structures

Answer 11

intermediate

Question 12

Define on the same side of the body as another structure

Answer 12

Ipsilateral

Question 13

Define the opposite side of the body as another structure

Answer 13

Contralateral

Question 14

Define closer to the trunk or point of attachment

Answer 14

Distal

Question 15

Define toward or on the surface of the body

Answer 15

superficial

Question 16

Define deep to the surface of the body

Answer 16

Deep

Question 17

Define elevation

Answer 17

is the joint movement that raises bones in the superior direction (ie closing your mouth)

Question 18

Define depression

Answer 18

is the joint movement that lowers bones in the inferior direction (ie lower your mandible to take a bite of food)

Question 19

Define opposition

Answer 19

touching the tip of the thumb to the tip of another digit of same hand

Question 20

Define reposition

Answer 20

removal of tip of thumb from another digit on same hand

Question 21

Define rotation

Answer 21

a turning movement of bones at a joint

Question 22

Define lateral rotation

Answer 22

a rotating movement away from the midline of the body

Question 23

Define medial rotation

Answer 23

a rotating movement towards the midline of the body

Question 24

Define protraction

Answer 24

moves a structure anteriorly out of the anatomical position (ie being drawn forwards)

Question 25

Define retraction

Answer 25

moves structures posteriorly out of the anatomical position (ie being drawn backwards

Question 26

Define dorsiflexion

Answer 26

the joint movement where the soles of your feet are raised up off the floor and the angle between the ankle and the tibia/fibula is decreased

Question 27

Define plantar flexion

Answer 27

the joint movement where the angle between the ankle and the tibia/fibula is increased

Question 28

Define inversion

Answer 28

medial movement of the ankle to move the foot so that the toes point toward the midline of body

Question 29

Define eversion

Answer 29

lateral movement of the ankle to move the foot so that the toes point away from the midline of the body

Question 30

Define abduction

Answer 30

movement away from the midline of body

Question 31

Define adduction

Answer 31

movement toward the middle of the body