Anatomical Terminology - (Relating to body structure)

Question 1

Definition of Superior

Answer 1

Situated Above

(E.g - The lungs are superior to the kidneys)

Question 2

Definition of Inferior

Answer 2

Away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure

( E.g - The liver is inferior to the heart)

Question 3

Definition of Anterior

Answer 3

Nearer to or at the front of the body

(E.g -The heart is anterior to the spine)

Question 4

Definition of Posterior

Answer 4

Nearer to or at the back of the body

(E.g - The oesophagus is posterior to the trachea)

Question 5

Definition of Medial

Answer 5

Nearer to the mid- line of the body

(E.g - The clavicle is on the medial side of the humerus)

Question 6

Definition of Lateral

Answer 6

Further from the midline of the body or a structure

(E.g - The Lungs are lateral to the heart)

Question 7

Definition of Proximal

Answer 7

Nearer to the attachment of an extremity

(E.g - The humerus is proximal to the radius)

Question 8

Definition of Distal

Answer 8

Further to the attachment of an extremity

(E.g - The phalanges are distal to the tarsals)

Question 9

Definition of Superficial

Answer 9

Toward or on the surface of the body

(E.g - The skin is superficial to all muscle)

Question 10

Definition of Parietal

Answer 10

Pertaining to the outer wall of a body cavity

(E.g - The parietal pleura forms the outer layer of the pleural sacs which surround the lungs)

Question 11

Definition of Visceral

Answer 11

Pertaining to the covering of an or- gan (viscus) within the ventral body cavity

(E.g - The visceral pleura forms the inner layer of the pleural sacs and covers the external surface of the lung)