Anatomy/Human Body Systems Directional Terms

Question 0

Inferior (Caudal)

Answer 0

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

The navel is inferior to the chin.

Question 1

Superior (Cranial)

Answer 1

Toward the head end of upper part of the structure or the body; above

The head is superior to the abdomen.

Question 2

Ventral (Anterior)

Answer 2

Toward or at the front of the body; in the front of

The breastbone is anterior to the spine.

Question 3

Dorsal (Posterior)

Answer 3

Toward or at the back of the body; behind

The heart is posterior to the breastbone.

Question 4

Medial

Answer 4

Toward of at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

The heart is medial to the arm.

Question 5

Lateral

Answer 5

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

The arms of lateral to the chest.

Question 6

Intermediate

Answer 6

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure

The collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and the shoulder.

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

Closer to the origin of the body part of the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

Farther from the origin of a body part of the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

The knee is distal to the thigh

Question 9

Superficial (External)

Answer 9

Toward the body, or at the surface

The skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles.

Question 10

Deep (Internal)

Answer 10

Away from the body surface; more internal

The lungs are deep to the skin.