Directions

Question 1

Towards the front of the body

Answer 1

Anterior (Ventral)
Ex: The chest is anterior to the spine

Question 2

Towards the back of the body

Answer 2

Posterior (Dorsal)
Ex: The spine is posterior to the stomach

Question 3

Toward the head or upper part of the body

Answer 3

Superior (Cranial or Cephalic)
Ex: The head is superior to the abdomen

Question 4

Away from the head or toward the lower part of the body

Answer 4

Inferior (Caudal)
Ex: The stomach is inferior to the chest

Question 5

Toward the midline of the body

Answer 5

Medial
Ex: The nose is medial to the eyes

Question 6

Away from the midline of the body

Answer 6

Lateral
Ex: The arms are lateral to the chest

Question 7

Closer to the origin of the body part/the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Answer 7

Proximal
Ex: The shoulder is proximal to the elbow

Question 8

Further from the origin of the body part/the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Answer 8

Distal
Ex: the wrist is distal to the elbow `

Question 9

Toward or at the body surface

Answer 9

Superficial (External)
Ex: The skin is superficial to the muscles

Question 10

Away from the body surface/more internal

Answer 10

Deep (Internal)
Ex: The lungs are deep to the ribcage

Question 11

On the same side of the body

Answer 11

Ipsilateral
Ex: The right hand is ipsilateral to the right foot

Question 12

On the opposite side of the body

Answer 12

Contralateral
Ex: The right hand is contralateral to the left hand

Question 13

Lying face down

Answer 13

Prone
Ex: The patient is lying prone for a back examinations

Question 14

Lying face up

Answer 14

Supine
Ex: The patient is lying supine for an abdominal examination

Question 15

Referring to the palm side of the hand

Answer 15

Palmar
Ex: The palmar surface is what you use to grip objects

Question 16

Referring to the sole of the foot

Answer 16

Plantar
Ex: The plantar surface touches the ground when standing

Question 17

Between two structures

Answer 17

Intermediate
Ex: The collarbone is intermediate between the breastbone and the shoulder

Question 18

Pertaining to the walls of the body cavity

Answer 18

Parietal
Ex: The parietal pleura lines the chest cavity

Question 19

Pertaining to the covering of an organ within a body cavity

Answer 19

Visceral
Ex: The visceral pleura covers the lungs

Question 20

Refers to the central part of the body (head, neck, and trunk)

Answer 20

Axial
Ex: The axial skeleton includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage

Question 21

Refers to the limbs (appendages) of the body

Answer 21

Appendicular
Ex: The appendicular skeleton includes the bones or the arms and legs

Question 22

Pertaining to the head

Answer 22

Cephalic
Ex: The cephalic vein is located in the head region

Question 23

Toward the tail or lower part of the body

Answer 23

Caudal
Ex: In humans, caudal refers to the structures closer to the lower back

Question 24

Bending the foot upward at the ankle

Answer 24

Dorsiflexion

Question 25

Bending the foot downward at the ankle

Answer 25

Plantarflexion

Question 26

Moving away from the midline of the body

Answer 26

Abduction Ex: raising your arm sideways is an abduction motion

Question 27

Movement toward the midline of the body

Answer 27

Adduction Ex: lowering your arm to your side is an adduction motion

Question 28

Decreasing the angle between two body parts

Answer 28

Flexion Ex: Bending the elbow is flexion

Question 29

Increasing the angle between two body parts

Answer 29

Extension Ex: Straightening the elbow is extension

Question 30

Rotating the forearm so the palm faces downward or backward

Answer 30

Pronation

Question 31

Rotating the forearm so the palm faces upward or forward

Answer 31

Supination

Question 32

Moving a body part downward

Answer 32

Depression

Question 33

Moving a body part upward

Answer 33

Elevation

Question 34

Moving around a central axis

Answer 34

Rotation Ex: Rotation occurs when you turn your head from side to side