Positional and Directional Terms

Question 1

Anterior (ventral)

Answer 1

front side of the body

Question 2

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 2

back side of the body

Question 3

Deep

Answer 3

away from the surface

Question 4

Superficial

Answer 4

on the surface

Question 5

Proximal

Answer 5

near the point of attachment to the trunk or near the beginning of the structure

Question 6

Distal

Answer 6

far from the point of attachment tot he trunk or far from the beginning of a structure

Question 7

Inferior

Answer 7

below another structure

Question 8

Caudal

Answer 8

pertaining to the tail or to the lower part of the body; away from the head or below another structure

Question 9

Superior

Answer 9

above another structure

Question 10

Medial

Answer 10

pertaining to the middle or nearer the medial plane of the body

Question 11

Lateral

Answer 11

pertaining to the side

Question 12

Supine

Answer 12

lying on the back

Question 13

Prone

Answer 13

lying on the belly

Question 14

Frontal (coronal)

Answer 14

vertical plan dividing the body or structure into anterior and posterior portions

Question 15

Sagittal (lateral)

Answer 15

lengthwise vertical plane dividing the body or structure into right and left sides

Question 16

Transverse (axial)

Answer 16

horizontal (cross-sectional) plane running across the body parallel to the ground