Anatomy terminology

Question 1

Anatomical position

Answer 1

Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms forward, thumbs pointing away from body

Question 2

Axial plane

Answer 2

Horizontal/transverse
Parallel to floor
Divides superior and inferior

Question 3

Coronal plane

Answer 3

Frontal

Divides anterior and posterior

Question 4

Sagittal plane

Answer 4

Medial/midsagittal/parasagittal

Divides left and right

Question 5

Oblique plane

Answer 5

Any other angle

Question 6

Posterior

Answer 6

Dorsal (back)

Question 7

Anterior

Answer 7

Ventral (front)

Question 8

Lateral

Answer 8

Further away from the medial plane

Question 9

Medial

Answer 9

Closer to the medial plane

Question 10

Superficial

Answer 10

Towards surface

Question 11

Deep

Answer 11

Towards core of the body

Question 12

Proximal

Answer 12

How close a component part is from attachment of the limb to the trunk

Question 13

Distal

Answer 13

How far a component part is from attachment of the limb to the trunk

Question 14

Superior

Answer 14

Upper ie. head end of the body

Question 15

Inferior

Answer 15

Lower ie. feet end of the body

Question 16

Visceral

Answer 16

Pertaining to a covering over an organ

Question 17

Parietal

Answer 17

Pertaining to a covering against a cavity wall

Question 18

Ipsilateral

Answer 18

Same side

Question 19

Contralateral

Answer 19

Opposite side

Question 20

Supine

Answer 20

Lying on their back

Question 21

Prone

Answer 21

Lying face down

Question 22

Cranial

Answer 22

Skull

Question 23

Cervical

Answer 23

Neck

Question 24

Cubital

Answer 24

Elbow

Question 25

Carpal

Answer 25

Wrist

Question 26

Patellar

Answer 26

Front of knee

Question 27

Orbital

Answer 27

Eye

Question 28

Thoracic

Answer 28

Chest

Question 29

Inguinal

Answer 29

Groin

Question 30

Metacarpal

Answer 30

Hand/palm

Question 31

Plantar

Answer 31

Sole of foot

Question 32

Buccal

Answer 32

Cheek

Question 33

Axillary

Answer 33

Armpit

Question 34

Femoral

Answer 34

Thigh

Question 35

Gluteal

Answer 35

Buttock

Question 36

Tarsal

Answer 36

Ankle

Question 37

Digital

Answer 37

Toes

Question 38

Phalangeal

Answer 38

Fingers

Question 39

Dorsal cavity

Answer 39

Cranial cavity

Vertebral cavity

Question 40

Ventral cavity

Answer 40

Thoracic cavity
Diaphragm
Abdominopelvic cavity

Question 41

Abduction

Answer 41

Moving away from the body’s midline

Question 42

Adduction

Answer 42

Moving toward the body’s midline

Question 43

Flexion

Answer 43

Decreasing the angle between two bones (bending)

Question 44

Extension

Answer 44

Increasing the angle between two bones (straightening a bend)

Question 45

Depression

Answer 45

Moving a body part down

Question 46

Elevation

Answer 46

Moving a body part up

Question 47

Dorsiflexion

Answer 47

Bringing your foot upward toward your shin

Question 48

Plantar flexion

Answer 48

Depressing your foot

Question 49

Pronation

Answer 49

Rotating the forearm so the palm is facing backwards or down

Question 50

Supination

Answer 50

Rotating the forearm so the palm is facing forwards or up

Question 51

Protraction

Answer 51

Moving a bone forward without changing the angle

Question 52

Retraction

Answer 52

Moving a bone backward without changing the angle