Anatomical Directions

Question 1

ANATOMICAL POSITION
is the point of reference for movement.
What are the four points describing the position?

Answer 1

• Standing
• Feet parallel
• Arms hanging at the sides, palms forward, fingers pointing straight at floor
• Face directed forwards

Question 2

Refers to a structure that is closer to the head or higher than another structure

Answer 2

SUPERIOR
aka
CRANIAL

Question 3

Refers to a structure that is closer to the feet or the lower part of the body than another structure

Answer 3

INFERIOR
aka
CAUDAL

Question 4

Refers to a structure that is more “in front” than another structure

Answer 4

ANTERIOR
aka
VENTRAL, PALMAR, VOLAR

Question 5

Refers to a structure that is more “in back” than another structure

Answer 5

POSTERIOR
aka
DORSAL, DORSUM

Question 6

Refers to a structure that is closer to the mid-sagittal plane than another structure

Answer 6

MEDIAL

Question 7

Refers to a structure that is farther away from the mid-sagittal plane than another structure

Answer 7

LATERAL

Question 8

Refers to a structure that is closest to its source – a structure that is closer to the root of the limb than another structure on the limb

Answer 8

PROXIMAL

Question 9

Refers to a structure that is farther away from its source (farther away from the root of the limb than another structure in the limb)

Answer 9

DISTAL

Question 10

Refers to a structure that is closer to the surface of the body

Answer 10

SUPERFICIAL

Question 11

Refers to a structure that is farther from the surface of the body

Answer 11

DEEP

Question 12

Refers to the same side as a reference point

• When moving one muscle on the left side affects a muscle on the left side

Answer 12

IPSILATERAL

Question 13

Refers to the opposite side as the reference point

• When moving one muscle on the left side affects a muscle on the right side

Answer 13

CONTRALATERAL

Question 14

The nose is __________ to the mouth

Answer 14

SUPERIOR

Question 15

Wrist is _________ to the elbow

Answer 15

INFERIOR

Question 16

Vastus medialis is __________ to the achilles tendon

Answer 16

PROXIMAL

Question 17

Abdomen is __________ to the spine

Answer 17

ANTERIOR

Question 18

Heart is _________ to the sternum

Answer 18

POSTERIOR

Question 19

Sternum is _________ to clavicle

Answer 19

MEDIAL

Question 20

Eyes are __________ to the nose

Answer 20

LATERAL

Question 21

Ears are __________ to the eyes

Answer 21

LATERAL

Question 22

Wrist is _________ to the fingers

Answer 22

PROXIMAL

Question 23

The knee is ________ to the hip

Answer 23

DISTAL

Question 24

The ankle is _________ to the knee

Answer 24

DISTAL

Question 25

Epidermis is _________ to muscle

Answer 25

SUPERFICIAL

Question 26

Lungs are ______ to the rib cage

Answer 26

DEEP

Question 27

When moving one muscle on the left affects a muscle on the left

Answer 27

IPSILATERAL

Question 28

When moving one muscle on the left affects a muscle on the right

Answer 28

CONTRALATERAL

Question 29

TRUE or FALSE | Fingers are pointed straight at the floor in anatomical position?

Answer 29

TRUE

Question 30

TRUE or FALSE | Palms face forward in anatomical position?

Answer 30

TRUE