Directional Terms

Question 1

Anatomical Position

Answer 1

standing erect, face forward, arms at side, palms facing forward

Question 2

Superior/Cranial

Answer 2

toward the head end of the body; upper (example, the hand is part of the superior extremity)

Question 3

Inferior/Caudal

Answer 3

away from the head; lower (example, the foot is part of the inferior extremity)

Question 4

Anterior

Answer 4

front (example, the kneecap is located on the anterior side of the leg)

Question 5

Posterior

Answer 5

back (example, the shoulder blades are located on the posterior side of the body)

Question 6

Medial

Answer 6

toward the midline of the body (example, the big toe is located at the medial side of the foot)

Question 7

Lateral

Answer 7

away from the midline of the body (example, the little toe is located at the lateral side of the foot)

Question 8

Proximal

Answer 8

toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin of a part (example, the proximal end of the femur joins with the pelvic bone)

Question 9

Distal

Answer 9

away from or farthest from the trunk or the point or origin of a part (example, the hand is located at the distal end of the forearm)

Question 10

Superficial

Answer 10

towards the surface

Question 11

Deep

Answer 11

away from the surface