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Anatomy & physiology · Study sheet
The directional terms in opposite pairs, with an example for each: anterior and posterior, proximal and distal, dorsal and ventral, medial and lateral, superior and inferior, superficial and deep. Then the body planes, the cavities and the abdominal regions and quadrants. Free, and for study only.
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Part 1 · Directional terms
Each term sits beside its opposite, with an example from the textbook. Turn on self-test mode to cover the meanings and check yourself one term at a time.
also called ventral
The front of the body, or toward the front.
Example: The toes are anterior to the foot.
also called dorsal
The back of the body, or toward the back.
Example: The popliteus is posterior to the patella.
Picture the person standing in the anatomical position. The face, chest and palms are the anterior side; the back of the head and the back are the posterior side.
also called cranial
A position above or higher than another part of the body.
Example: The orbits are superior to the oris.
also called caudal
A position below or lower than another part; near or toward the tail, which in humans is the coccyx, the lowest part of the spinal column.
Example: The pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.
Cranial points toward the head, and caudal points toward the tail end of the spine.
The middle, or toward the middle of the body.
Example: The hallux (big toe) is the medial toe.
The side, or toward the side of the body.
Example: The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the digits.
In the anatomical position the thumb points away from the body, so it is the lateral digit. The big toe is the toe nearest the middle line.
A position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.
Example: The brachium (upper arm) is proximal to the antebrachium (forearm).
A position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.
Example: The crus (leg) is distal to the femur (thigh).
These two are for limbs only. Follow the limb from where it joins the trunk: the shoulder end is proximal, the finger end is distal.
A position closer to the surface of the body.
Example: The skin is superficial to the bones.
A position farther from the surface of the body.
Example: The brain is deep to the skull.
Think of layers: skin first, then what lies beneath it.
Part 2 · Position
Part 3 · Planes
A plane is an imaginary two-dimensional surface that passes through the body. A section or scan can be read correctly only if you know the plane it was cut along.
Divides: Right and left sides
A vertical plane through the body or an organ. Running directly down the middle it is the midsagittal (median) plane; dividing the body into unequal right and left sides it is a parasagittal plane.
also called the coronal plane
Divides: Anterior (front) and posterior (rear) portions
"Corona" is Latin for "crown".
Divides: Upper and lower portions
A horizontal plane. Transverse planes produce images called cross sections.
Divides: The body at an angle
It is not parallel or perpendicular to any of the other three commonly used planes.
Part 4 · Cavities
The posterior (dorsal) and anterior (ventral) cavities are the largest body compartments. They contain and protect delicate internal organs.
also called the dorsal cavity
Two continuous parts: the cranial cavity houses the brain, and the spinal (vertebral) cavity encloses the spinal cord.
also called the ventral cavity
Two main parts: the thoracic cavity above and the abdominopelvic cavity below, separated by the diaphragm.
The more superior part of the anterior cavity, enclosed by the rib cage. It contains the lungs and the heart, which sits in the mediastinum. The diaphragm forms its floor.
The largest cavity in the body. No membrane physically divides it, but it is useful to distinguish the abdominal cavity (digestive organs) from the pelvic cavity (organs of reproduction).
Part 5 · Abdominal map
Drawn as if you are facing the front of the body, so the right side of the body is on the left of each grid.
Part 6 · Quick drill
16 short sentences, two choices each. Assume the body is in anatomical position. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it.
0 of 16 answered
1. The skin is to the bones.
2. The brain is to the skull.
3. The pelvis is to the abdomen.
4. The thumb is to the other digits.
5. The brachium is to the antebrachium.
6. The crus is to the femur.
7. The nose is to the ears.
8. The knee is to the ankle.
9. The chest is to the abdomen.
10. The sternum (breastbone) is to the heart.
11. The spine is to the sternum.
12. The fingers are to the wrist.
13. The shoulder is to the elbow.
14. The ribs are to the lungs.
15. The little finger is to the thumb (arm in anatomical position).
16. The chin is to the forehead.
Practice questions
Directional terms, position, planes, cavities and the abdominal map. Your result is free and needs no sign-up.
Question 1 of 16
The bonus
Locked until you unlock the bonus above
Sources
The definitions and examples are written in our own words from this public source. The drill adds a few everyday position examples that follow from those definitions. Where your course uses different wording, your course materials decide.
More free study tools: an anatomy and physiology study guide, joint movement terms and medical abbreviations and word parts.
Questions
Yes. The terms, the drill, the abdominal map and the practice questions are free, and your result needs no sign-up. An email unlocks the bonus: a printable one-page chart and more practice questions.
Anterior describes the front of the body or the direction toward the front; posterior describes the back or the direction toward the back. In the textbook, anterior is also called ventral and posterior is also called dorsal.
Both describe positions in a limb. Proximal means nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body; distal means farther from it. The upper arm (brachium) is proximal to the forearm (antebrachium).
In the textbook, dorsal is another word for posterior (the back) and ventral is another word for anterior (the front). The same names are used for the two large body cavities: the dorsal (posterior) cavity holds the brain and spinal cord, and the ventral (anterior) cavity holds the thoracic and abdominopelvic parts.
Medial means the middle or toward the middle of the body; lateral means the side or toward the side of the body. The big toe (hallux) is the medial toe, and the thumb (pollex) is lateral to the other digits.
Right upper, left upper, right lower and left lower. They come from one horizontal and one vertical line that cross at the umbilicus (navel). The nine-region scheme is the more detailed alternative.
No. This is a study aid for people in anatomy and physiology, nursing, medical assisting and similar programs. It describes normal anatomy terms only. It does not cover symptoms, diagnosis or treatment, and your course materials and instructor come first.
OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, section 1.6 (anatomical terminology), a free open college textbook. The section is linked below.