Anatomical Terms

Question 1

Anatomical position

Answer 1

A standard position in which the body is facing forward, the feet are parallel to each other, and the arms are at the sides with the palms facing forward

Question 2

Superior

Answer 2

Toward the upper end of the body or body structure

Question 3

Inferior

Answer 3

Toward the lower end of the body or body structure

Question 4

Anterior

Answer 4

Toward the front of the body or body structure

Question 5

Posterior

Answer 5

Toward the back of the body or body structure

Question 6

Medial

Answer 6

Toward the middle of the body or body structure

Question 7

Lateral

Answer 7

Toward the outer sides of the body or body structure

Question 8

Intermediate

Answer 8

Between medial and lateral

Question 9

Proximal

Answer 9

Close to the origin of the body part or point of attachment

Question 10

Distal

Answer 10

Away from the origin of the body part or point of attachment

Question 11

Superficial

Answer 11

Toward or at the body surface

Question 12

Deep

Answer 12

Away from or below the body surface

Question 13

Sagittal section

Answer 13

Cut made along a longitudinal plane dividing the body into right and left parts

Question 14

Midsagittal section

Answer 14

Sagittal section made down the median of the body

Question 15

Transverse section (or cross section)

Answer 15

Cut made along a horizontal plane to divide the body into upper and lower regions

Question 16

Frontal section (Coronal section)

Answer 16

Cut made along a longitudinal plane that divides the body into front and back regions

Question 17

Dorsal body cavity

Answer 17

Contains the cranial cavity and spinal column

Question 18

Central body cavity

Answer 18

Contains all the structures within the chest and abdomen; diaphragm divides the central cavity into the thoracic cavity (superior to the diaphragm); below the diaphragm are the abdominal and pelvic cavities