Anatomical Positions and Planes Quiz

Anatomical Position

• The body is standing erect.
• The face is looking forward.
• The upper limbs hang by the sides.
• The hands are facing forward.
• The lower limbs are parallel.

Supine Position

• The body is lying horizontal.
• The face and body are facing upward.

Prone Position

• The body is lying horizontal.
• The face is looking downward.

Anatomical Planes

• Median Plane: A vertical plane passing through the center of the body, dividing it into two equal halves.
• Paramedian Plane: A vertical plane dividing the body into two unequal halves.
• Coronal Plane: A vertical plane perpendicular to the median plane, dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts.
• Transverse Plane: A horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower parts.

Anatomical Terms of Position

• Median: A structure lies in the median plane.
• Medial: A structure lies nearer to the median plane.
• Lateral: A structure lies away from the median plane.
• Superior: A structure is close to the upper end of the body.
• Inferior: A structure is close to the lower end of the body.
• Anterior: A structure is nearer to the front.
• Posterior: A structure is nearer to the back.
• Superficial: A structure is nearer to the surface.
• Deep: A structure is away from the surface.
• Internal: A structure is inside an organ or cavity.
• External: A structure is towards the outer aspect of the organ.
• Proximal: A structure is nearer to the trunk.
• Distal: A structure is away from the trunk.
• Ipsilateral: A structure is on the same side.
• Contralateral: A structure is on the opposite side.

Terms for Limbs

• Forearm:
  • Radial: Lateral (thumb side)
  • Ulnar: Medial (little finger side)
• Hand:
  • Palmar: Anterior
  • Dorsal: Posterior
• Leg:
  • Fibular: Lateral
  • Tibial: Medial
• Foot:
  • Plantar: Inferior
  • Dorsal: Superior

Summary

• The anatomical position is a standardized reference point used for describing anatomical structures.
• Anatomical planes divide the body into sections for study and understanding.
• Directional terms help with precise communication about the location of structures within the body.
  • Median, Lateral, Medial: Relative position to the midline
  • Superior, Inferior: Relative position along the vertical axis
  • Anterior, Posterior: Relative position along the front-back axis
  • Superficial, Deep: Relative position to the surface
  • Proximal, Distal: Relative position to the attachment point of a limb
  • Ipsilateral, Contralateral: Relative position on the same or opposite sides of the body
• Specific terms are used to describe locations on limbs: radial, ulnar, tibial, fibular, palmar, dorsal, plantar, etc.