Directional Terms, Descriptive Terms and Planes

Question 1

Anatomy

Answer 1

Branch of morphology that deals with the structure of an organism (animal/human). (The parts).

Question 2

Physiology

Answer 2

Normal function of an organism. (How parts work together).

Question 3

Anatomical Position

Answer 3

Referent for speaking between anatomists and other health care provider standing erect, facing the observer, eyes front, arms at the side with the palms of the hand and tips of the feet directed forward.

Question 4

Anatomic Orientation

Answer 4

If a subject was lying in the anatomic position, the observer would be viewing from the top of the head.
(My left is their left).

Question 5

Clinical Orientation

Answer 5

If a subject was lying in the anatomic position, the observer would be standing at the feet.
(My right is their left).

Question 6

Anterior

Answer 6

Towards the front, abdomen, away from the back.

Question 7

Ventral

Answer 7

Towards the front, abdomen, away from the back, towards the lower abdominal plane.

Question 8

Posterior

Answer 8

Towards the back, away from front.

Question 9

Dorsal

Answer 9

Towards the back bone, away from the front, towards the upper plane.

Question 10

Rostral

Answer 10

Towards the nose.

Question 11

Caudal

Answer 11

Towards tail, posterior end of body.

Question 12

Cranial

Answer 12

Towards the head.

Question 13

Superior

Answer 13

Upper/towards the head.

Question 14

Inferior

Answer 14

Lower/towards the feet.

Question 15

Superficial

Answer 15

Towards the surface, towards the skin.

Question 16

Deep

Answer 16

Away from surface, away from skin.

Question 17

Medial

Answer 17

Towards axis/midline.

Question 18

Lateral

Answer 18

Away from axis/midline.

Question 19

External

Answer 19

Towards outer surface.

Question 20

Internal

Answer 20

Towards inner surface.

Question 21

Proximal

Answer 21

Towards the body, towards the root of a free extremity.

Question 22

Distal

Answer 22

Away from root of free extremity, away from body.

Question 23

Planes of Reference

Answer 23

A plane is a flat surface along which a body can be divided (or sectioned) to show internal structures.

Question 24

Frontal/Coronal

Answer 24

Plane that cuts body into front and back halves.

Question 25

Transverse

Answer 25

Cutting structure into top and bottom parts.

Question 26

Sagittal

Answer 26

Cuts body into right and left halves.

Question 27

Prone

Answer 27

Lying face down.

Question 28

Supine

Answer 28

Lying on back with face up.

Question 29

Flexion

Answer 29

Bending of a part or decreasing the angle between 2 parts.

Question 30

Extension

Answer 30

Straightening or increasing the angle between 2 body parts.

Question 31

Abduction

Answer 31

Movement away from the axis. Ex: Open vocal folds allow us to breathe.

Question 32

Adduction

Answer 32

Movement towards the medium planes. Ex: Vocal folds come together which creates noise.

Question 33

Elevation

Answer 33

Closing. Ex: Jaw closing.

Question 34

Depression

Answer 34

Opening. Ex: Jaw opening.