Body Positions & Directional Terms

Question 1

Anterior/ventral

Answer 1

Toward the front; away from the back of the body

Question 2

Posterior/dorsal

Answer 2

Near the back; toward the back of the body

Question 3

Inferior/caudal

Answer 3

Below; toward the soles of the feet

Question 4

Superior/cephalad

Answer 4

Above; toward the head

Question 5

Distal

Answer 5

Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk

Question 6

Proximal

Answer 6

Near the point of attachment to the trunk

Question 7

Lateral

Answer 7

Pertaining to the side; away from the midline

Question 8

Medial

Answer 8

Towards the midline of the body

Question 9

Prone

Answer 9

Lying horizontal and face down

Question 10

Supine

Answer 10

Lying horizontal and face up

Question 11

Eversion

Answer 11

A turning outward or inside out, as turning the foot outward at the ankle

Question 12

Inversion

Answer 12

A turning inward, as turning the foot inward at the ankle

Question 13

Ipsilateral

Answer 13

Pertaining to the same side of the body

Question 14

Contralateral

Answer 14

Pertaining to the opposite side of the body

Question 15

Superficial

Answer 15

Nearer to the surface of the body

Question 16

Deep

Answer 16

Farther away from the surface of the body

Question 17

Parietal

Answer 17

Pertaining to the outer wall of a body cavity

Question 18

Visceral

Answer 18

Pertaining to the covering of an organ

Question 19

Anatomical position

Answer 19

The person is standing erect with the head, eyes, and toes directed forward, the heels and toes together, and the upper limbs hanging by the sides with palms facing anterior