Orientation And Directional Terms

Question 0

Inferior

Answer 0

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of the body; below

EXAMPLE: The naval is inferior to the breastbone.

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above

EXAMPLE: Forehead is superior to the nose

Question 2

Anterior (Ventral)

Answer 2

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

EXAMPLE: The breastbone is Anterior (Ventral) to the spine.

Question 3

Posterior (Dorsal)

Answer 3

Toward or at the backside of body; behind

EXAMPLE: The heart is posterior to the breastbone.

Question 4

Medial

Answer 4

Toward or at the midline of the body

EXAMPLE: The heart is medial to the arm

Question 5

Lateral

Answer 5

Away from the midline of the body

EXAMPLE: The arms are lateral to the chest.

Question 6

Intermediate

Answer 6

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

EXAMPLE: The armpit is intermediate between the breastbone and shoulder.

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

EXAMPLE: The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

EXAMPLE: The knee is distal to the thigh.

Question 9

Superficial

Answer 9

Toward or at the body surface

EXAMPLE: The skin is superficial to the skeleton.

Question 10

Deep

Answer 10

Away from the body surface; more internal

EXAMPLE: The lungs are deep to the rib cage.