Postional Anatomy Terminology

Question 1

What defines imaginary flat surfaces that divide the body into sections?

Answer 1

Planes of Reference

Question 2

What defines a vertical plane perpendicular to the coronal plane that divides the body, an organ or a part into symmetrical or asymmetrical right and left sections?

Answer 2

Sagittal Plane

Question 3

What defines a vertical plane perpendicular to the sagittal plane that divides the body, an organ or a part into front and back sections?

Answer 3

Frontal (coronal) Plane

Question 4

What defines a horizontal plane at right angles to the sagittal and frontal planes that divides the body, an organ or a part into upper and lower sections?

Answer 4

Transverse (horizontal) Plane

Question 5

What position defines structures at the front of the body?

Answer 5

Anterior

Question 6

What position defines structures at the back of the body?

Answer 6

Posterior

Question 7

What defines a position above another part of the body?

Answer 7

Superior

Question 8

What defines a position below another part of the body?

Answer 8

Inferior

Question 9

What defines a position closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk?

Answer 9

Proximal

Question 10

What defines a position farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk?

Answer 10

Distal

Question 11

What defines structures that are closer to the surface of the body?

Answer 11

Superficial (external, extrinsic)

Question 12

What defines structures that are further from the surface of the body?

Answer 12

Deep (internal, intrinsic)

Question 13

What defines a position that is closer to the midline of the body?

Answer 13

Medial

Question 14

What defines a position that is between a medially and laterally located structure of the body?

Answer 14

Intermediate

Question 15

What defines a position that is further from the midline of the body?

Answer 15

Lateral

Question 16

What defines structures derived from the front of the embryo, before limb rotation?

Answer 16

Ventral

Question 17

What defines structures derived from back of the embryo, before limb rotation?

Answer 17

Dorsal

Question 18

What defines structures close to the top of the skull?

Answer 18

Cranial

Question 19

What defines structures towards the bottom of the body?

Answer 19

Caudal

Question 20

What defines both the right and the left side of the body or of a body structure?

Answer 20

Bilateral

Question 21

What defines the inferior aspect of the foot, most of which is in contact with the ground while standing?

Answer 21

Plantar

Question 22

What defines the palm of the human hand?

Answer 22

Palmar

Question 23

What defines a prefix indicating within a boundary?

Answer 23

Intra

Question 24

What defines a prefix indicating to cross over boundaries?

Answer 24

Inter