Orientation and Directional Terms

Question 1

Cranial, Superior, Rostral

Answer 1

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above
ex: The forehead is superior to the nose

Question 2

Anterior, Ventral

Answer 2

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of

ex: The breastbone is anterior to the spine

Question 3

Posterior, Dorsal

Answer 3

Toward or at the back of the body; behind

ex: The heart is posterior to the breastbone

Question 4

Medial

Answer 4

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of

ex: The groin is medial to the thigh

Question 5

Lateral

Answer 5

Away from the midline of the body; on the outerside of

ex: The eye is lateral to the bridge of the nose

Question 6

Proximal

Answer 6

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
ex: The elbow is proximal to the wrist

Question 7

Distal

Answer 7

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
ex: The knee is distal to the thigh

Question 8

Caudal, Inferior

Answer 8

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below
ex: The navel is inferior to the breastbone

Question 9

Superficial

Answer 9

Toward or at the body surface

ex: The skin is superficial to the skeleton

Question 10

Deep

Answer 10

Away from the body surface; more internal

ex: The pelvis is deep to the buttock muscles

Question 11

Ipsilateral

Answer 11

“ipsilateral” means “on the same side” (in this case, as the reference point)

Question 12

Contralateral

Answer 12

“Contralateral” means “on the opposite side” (of a reference point

Question 13

Median

Answer 13

The midline, longitudinal plane dividing the head and torso into right/left halves. The presence of the vertebral column and spinal cord is a characteristic of the median plane of the torso. The median plane is the middle sagittal plane.

Question 14

Sagittal

Answer 14

The longitudinal plane dividing the body into left and right parts. It is parallel to the median plane and may be applied to the head, torso and limbs.

Question 15

Coronal, Frontal

Answer 15

The longitudinal plane dividing the body into equal or unequal front and back parts. In CT and MRI, the term “coronal” is used by radiologists.

Question 16

Cross, Transverse

Answer 16

The transverse plane dividing the body or body parts into upper and lower segments. This plane is across section perpendicular to the longitudinal planes. Transverse planes of the body, called axial or transaxial sections by radiologists, are commonly seen in CT and MRI studies of the body.