Medical Terminology: Directions & Planes

Questions and Answers

What does 'sagittal' refer to?

Plane that separates the body into front & back portions

Plane that separates the body into top & bottom portions

Plane that separates the body into left & right portions (correct)

Plane that separates the body into equal left & right halves

What is a midsagittal plane?

Plane that separates the body into equal left & right halves.

What does 'frontal' refer to in terms of body planes?

Plane that separates the body into top & bottom portions

Plane that separates the body into front & back portions (correct)

Plane that separates the body into left & right portions

Plane that separates the body into equal halves

What does 'transverse' denote?

Plane that separates the body into top & bottom portions Signup and view all the answers

What does 'superior' mean?

Towards the top Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'inferior'?

Towards the bottom Signup and view all the answers

Define 'anterior'.

Toward the front Signup and view all the answers

What does 'posterior' indicate?

Toward the back Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cephalic' refer to?

Towards the head Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'caudal'?

Towards the tail Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ventral' mean?

Towards the stomach Signup and view all the answers

Define 'dorsal'.

Toward the back or spine Signup and view all the answers

What does 'medial' signify?

Towards the midline Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'lateral'?

Away from the midline Signup and view all the answers

Define 'proximal'.

Closer to the point of origin or attachment Signup and view all the answers

What does 'distal' refer to?

Further away from the point of origin or attachment Signup and view all the answers

What does 'contralateral' mean?

Opposite side of midline Signup and view all the answers

What is 'ipsilateral'?

Same side of midline Signup and view all the answers

What does 'superficial' mean?

Toward the surface Signup and view all the answers

Define 'deep'.

Towards the core Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Planes of the Body

Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right sections; portions do not need to be equal.
Midsagittal Plane: A specific sagittal plane that separates the body into equal left and right halves.
Frontal Plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.
Transverse Plane: Separates the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions.

Directional Terms

Superior: Refers to a position that is higher or above another part.
Inferior: Indicates a position that is lower or below another part.
Anterior: Denotes a position toward the front of the body.
Posterior: Refers to a position toward the back of the body.
Cephalic: Indicates a direction toward the head; varies for different species (top in humans, front in quadrupeds).
Caudal: Points toward the tail or lower end of the body; also varies by species.
Ventral: Refers to the stomach area; front in humans, ground level in quadrupeds.
Dorsal: Indicates the back or spine, top in quadrupeds.

Positioning Relative to the Midline

Medial: Closer to the body's midline.
Lateral: Further away from the body's midline.
Contralateral: Refers to the opposite side of the midline.
Ipsilateral: Pertains to the same side of the midline.

Limb and Attachment Reference

Proximal: Closer to the point of origin or where an attachment occurs.
Distal: Further away from the point of origin or attachment.

Depth Orientation

Superficial: Toward or on the surface of the body.
Deep: Away from the surface, toward the core of the body.

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Description

Enhance your understanding of medical terminology with this quiz focused on anatomical directions and planes. Learn essential terms like sagittal, midsagittal, frontal, and transverse. Perfect for students and professionals in the health sciences.