Anatomy Terminology

Question 1

what is the anatomical position

Answer 1

standing erect, head facing forward (anteriorly), eyes directed forward, arms by side, palms facing forward and thumbs lateral and feet together and toes directed forward

Question 2

supine position

Answer 2

lying on back with face and toes upward, generally for anterior dissections

Question 3

prone position

Answer 3

body is horizontal facing downwards, generally used for back dissection

Question 4

superior

Answer 4

towards the head

Question 5

inferior

Answer 5

towards the feet

Question 6

cranial

Answer 6

towards the head

Question 7

caudal

Answer 7

towards the tail bone

Question 8

anterior

Answer 8

towards the front of the body

Question 9

posterior

Answer 9

towards the back of the body

Question 10

ventral

Answer 10

towards the belly

Question 11

dorsal

Answer 11

towards the back

Question 11

medial

Answer 11

closer to the midline

Question 12

lateral

Answer 12

further away from the midline

Question 13

proximal

Answer 13

closer to site of attatchment

Question 13

distal

Answer 13

further away from site of attachment

Question 14

superficial

Answer 14

closer to surface

Question 14

deep

Answer 14

further from surface

Question 15

median

Answer 15

vertical plane passing longitudinally through the midline

Question 16

parasagittal

Answer 16

not directly on the median

Question 17

frontal (coronal)

Answer 17

vertical plane which runs from side to side

Question 18

transverse (horizontal)

Answer 18

plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions

Question 19

abduction

Answer 19

move away from midline

Question 20

adduction

Answer 20

move toward midline

Question 21

dorsum

Answer 21

posterior hand, superior foot surface

Question 22

midsagittal section

Answer 22

plane that divides the body into right or left halves

Question 23

circumduction

Answer 23

flexion, abduction, extension and adduction