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Welcome to the human anatomy & physiology electronic frontier classroom of the 21st century. When the human body is in the anatomical position, discussions about the body, how it moves, its posture, or the relationship of one area to another, assume that the body as a whole is in a specific position. I hope you will gain a better understanding of the directions used in describing positions of the human body.
Questions and Answers
1.
A crosswise plane which divides the body or any of it's parts into lower and upper parts is called a(n)_____ plane.
A.
Coronal
B.
Midline
C.
Sagittal
D.
Transverse
E.
Midsagittal
Correct Answer
D. Transverse
Explanation A crosswise plane that divides the body or any of its parts into lower and upper parts is called a transverse plane. This plane is perpendicular to the long axis of the body or the structure being divided, creating a top and bottom section. It is often used in medical imaging and anatomical studies to visualize different structures and organs within the body. The other options, such as coronal, midline, sagittal, and midsagittal, do not accurately describe a plane that divides the body into lower and upper parts.
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2.
A lengthwise plane running from front to back which divides the body into left and right sides is called a(n)_____ plane.
A.
Coronal
B.
Midline
C.
Sagittal
D.
Transverse
E.
Midsagittal
Correct Answer
C. Sagittal
Explanation A lengthwise plane running from front to back which divides the body into left and right sides is called a sagittal plane. This plane allows for the observation of structures in the body from a side view, and it is commonly used in medical imaging and anatomical studies. The other options are not correct because the coronal plane divides the body into front and back, the midline does not divide the body into left and right sides, the transverse plane divides the body into upper and lower parts, and the midsagittal plane is a specific type of sagittal plane that passes through the midline of the body.
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3.
A _____ _____ looks similar to those directions found on geographical maps. It is very helpful diagram of the planes, and directions of the body.
A.
Anatomical compass
B.
Anatomical rosette
C.
Compass rosette
D.
Geographical rosette
Correct Answer
C. Compass rosette
Explanation A compass rosette is a diagram that resembles the directions found on geographical maps. It is a helpful tool for understanding the planes and directions of the body.
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4.
A(n) _____ _____ is used to make the reading of anatomical figures a little easier.
A.
Anatomical rosette
B.
Anatomical compass
C.
Compass rosette
D.
G.P.S. rosette
Correct Answer
A. Anatomical rosette
Explanation An anatomical rosette is used to make the reading of anatomical figures a little easier. This term refers to a visual representation or diagram that displays different anatomical structures in a circular or rosette-like pattern. It helps to organize and simplify complex anatomical information, making it easier for students or researchers to understand and interpret anatomical figures.
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5.
_____ direction is moving toward the front of the body.
A.
Anterior
B.
Dorsal
C.
Ventral
D.
Visceral
E.
Medullary
Correct Answer
A. Anterior
Explanation Anterior direction refers to the front of the body. This means that it is moving towards the front or the head of the body. In anatomical terms, anterior is the opposite of posterior, which refers to the back of the body. Therefore, the correct answer is anterior.
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6.
Cortical refers to an outer region or cortex of a body or organ.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation The statement explains that the term "cortical" refers to the outer region or cortex of a body or organ. This means that the answer "True" is correct, as it aligns with the given explanation.
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7.
_____ direction is moving toward the back of the body.
A.
Deep
B.
Dorsal
C.
Ventral
D.
Visceral
E.
Posterior
Correct Answer
E. Posterior
Explanation The term "posterior" refers to the direction that is moving toward the back of the body. It is the opposite of "anterior," which refers to the direction that is moving toward the front of the body. In anatomical terms, the posterior direction is often used to describe the position or location of structures or organs that are located towards the back of the body.
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8.
Superficial is the anatomical direction that is toward the _____ of a part or away from the inside of the body or organ.
Correct Answer surface
Explanation The term "superficial" refers to a direction that is towards the surface of a body part or away from the inside of the body or organ. In other words, it describes a position that is closer to the outer layer or skin of the body. This direction is used to describe the location of certain structures or movements in relation to the surface of the body.
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9.
The left hand is _____ to the elbow.
A.
Lateral
B.
Distal
C.
Proximal
D.
Ipsilateral
Correct Answer
B. Distal
Explanation The term "distal" refers to a position that is farther away from the center of the body or a specific point of reference. In this case, the left hand is farther away from the elbow, making "distal" the correct answer.
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10.
The navel is on the dorsal surface of your body.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation The navel, also known as the belly button, is actually located on the ventral surface of the body. The dorsal surface refers to the back side of the body, while the ventral surface refers to the front side. Therefore, the statement that the navel is on the dorsal surface is incorrect.
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11.
The right knee is _____ to the right ankle.
A.
Cortical
B.
Ipsilateral
C.
Parietal
D.
Ventral
Correct Answer
B. Ipsilateral
Explanation The term "ipsilateral" refers to the same side of the body. In this case, the right knee being ipsilateral to the right ankle means that both the knee and the ankle are located on the same side of the body, which is the right side.
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12.
This anatomical direction _____ is toward the wall or away from internal structures.
A.
Parietal
B.
Medullary
C.
Cephalad
D.
Contralateral
E.
Cortical
Correct Answer
A. Parietal
Explanation The term "parietal" refers to the outer wall of a body cavity or the outer layer of an organ. In this context, the explanation for the correct answer is that the anatomical direction "parietal" is towards the wall or away from internal structures.
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13.
What anatomical direction is located along (toward) the belly surface of the body?
A.
Deep
B.
Posterior
C.
Dorsal
D.
Ventral
E.
Ipsilateral
Correct Answer
D. Ventral
Explanation The term "ventral" refers to the anatomical direction that is located along or toward the belly surface of the body. It is the opposite of "dorsal," which refers to the direction along or toward the back surface of the body. In other words, ventral is the front side or the belly side of the body.
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14.
What anatomical direction means moving toward the head?
A.
Dorsal
B.
Lateral
C.
Cephalad
D.
Contralateral
E.
Superior
Correct Answer
C. CepHalad
Explanation Cephalad refers to the anatomical direction of moving towards the head. It is commonly used in medical and anatomical terminology to describe the movement or location of a body part in relation to the head. This term is derived from the Latin word "cephalad" which means "towards the head".
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15.
What anatomical direction means toward the feet of tail of the body?
A.
Caudal
B.
Inferior
C.
Visceral
D.
Cortical
E.
Ipsilateral
Correct Answer
A. Caudal
Explanation The correct answer is "Caudal." Anatomical direction refers to the position or location of a body part in relation to other body parts. "Caudal" specifically means towards the feet or tail of the body. It is the opposite of "cranial" which means towards the head.
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16.
What anatomical direction means toward the trunk (use an appendage as a relative position?
A.
Caudal
B.
Inferior
C.
Proximal
D.
Cortical
E.
Ipsilateral
Correct Answer
C. Proximal
Explanation Proximal is the correct answer because anatomical direction refers to the position of a body part in relation to another. Proximal means closer to the point of attachment or center of the body. In this case, when referring to an appendage, proximal would mean closer to the trunk or the main body. Therefore, proximal is the anatomical direction that means toward the trunk when using an appendage as a relative position.
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17.
What direction is toward the bottom of the body?
A.
Lateral
B.
Inferior
C.
Superior
D.
Superficial
Correct Answer
B. Inferior
Explanation The term "inferior" refers to a position or direction that is lower or toward the bottom. In the context of the body, "inferior" indicates a direction toward the feet or lower part of the body. Therefore, "inferior" is the correct answer for the question asking about the direction toward the bottom of the body.
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18.
What direction means toward the front of the body?
A.
Anterior
B.
Deep
C.
Ipsilateral
D.
Medial
E.
Posterior
Correct Answer
A. Anterior
Explanation The term "anterior" refers to the direction that is towards the front of the body. It is the opposite of "posterior," which means towards the back of the body.
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19.
What direction means toward the side or away from the midsagittal plane?
A.
Medial
B.
Lateral
C.
Rostral
D.
Palmar
E.
Cranial
Correct Answer
B. Lateral
Explanation Lateral means toward the side or away from the midsagittal plane. It refers to a position or structure that is situated farther away from the midline of the body or an organ. In contrast, medial refers to a position or structure that is closer to the midline. Therefore, in this context, the correct answer is lateral as it accurately describes the direction mentioned in the question.
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20.
What direction of of the patient's body, if it is your left?
Correct Answer right
Explanation The question is asking about the direction of the patient's body if it is your left. So, if the patient's body is on your left side, then the direction of their body would be towards your right.
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21.
What is the anatomical direction found on an appendage moving away from the sagittal plane is called a(n)_____?
Correct Answer radial
Explanation The anatomical direction found on an appendage moving away from the sagittal plane is called radial. This term refers to movement away from the midline of the body or towards the radius bone in the forearm.
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22.
What plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A.
Medial
B.
Sagittal
C.
Frontal
D.
Transverse
E.
Mesosagittal
Correct Answer
C. Frontal
Explanation The frontal plane is the plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions. This plane is also known as the coronal plane. It is perpendicular to the sagittal plane, which divides the body into left and right portions, and the transverse plane, which divides the body into upper and lower portions. The frontal plane is commonly used in anatomy to describe the position and orientation of structures in the body.
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23.
When a sagittal section is made in the exact midline of the body, this plane is called a(n)_____.
A.
Coronal
B.
Horizontal
C.
Midsagittal
D.
Transverse
E.
Sagittal
Correct Answer
C. Midsagittal
Explanation When a sagittal section is made in the exact midline of the body, this plane is called a midsagittal plane. It divides the body into equal left and right halves, providing a symmetrical view of the structures in the body. This is different from a sagittal plane, which can be made at any position to divide the body into unequal halves. The other options, coronal, horizontal, and transverse planes, do not accurately describe the plane made in the exact midline of the body.
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24.
Which anatomical direction is found on the opposite side of the body?
A.
Caudad
B.
Contralateral
C.
Proximal
D.
Cortical
E.
Visceral
Correct Answer
B. Contralateral
Explanation Contralateral refers to the opposite side of the body. It is used to describe structures or functions that are located on the opposite side from a specific reference point. In this case, contralateral is the correct answer because it accurately describes the anatomical direction that is found on the opposite side of the body.
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25.
Which anatomical direction is found to be toward the inside of a part; away from the surface?
A.
Caudal
B.
Medial
C.
Deep
D.
Proximal
E.
Shallow
Correct Answer
C. Deep
Explanation Deep is the correct answer because it refers to a direction that is towards the inside of a part and away from the surface. This term is commonly used in anatomy to describe structures that are located further away from the surface of the body or a specific organ.
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26.
Which anatomical direction is the patients _____, not your left?
A.
Left
B.
Right
C.
Cranial
D.
Deep
E.
Distal
Correct Answer
A. Left
Explanation This question is asking for the anatomical direction that is opposite to "left" from the perspective of the patient. In other words, it is asking for the direction that is not on the patient's left side. The correct answer is "right" because it is the opposite direction to the left side of the patient.
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27.
_____ away from the trunk or point of attachment (appendage).
A.
Left
B.
Distal
C.
Cortical
D.
Proximal
E.
Dorsal
Correct Answer
B. Distal
Explanation The term "distal" refers to a position or location that is farther away from the trunk or point of attachment. In anatomical terms, it is used to describe body parts that are located towards the end of a limb or appendage. In this context, "distal" is the most appropriate answer as it accurately describes the concept of being away from the trunk or point of attachment.
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28.
_____ direction refers to an inner region of the body or organ.
A.
Distal
B.
Medullary
C.
Medial
D.
Left
E.
Parietal
Correct Answer
B. Medullary
Explanation Medullary direction refers to an inner region of the body or organ. It is used to describe structures that are located towards the center or core of the body or organ. This term is commonly used in anatomy to describe the innermost part of certain organs or structures, such as the medulla oblongata in the brain or the medullary cavity in long bones.
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29.
_____ means toward the head or top of the body.
Correct Answer superior
Explanation The term "superior" refers to a direction or position that is towards the head or top of the body. In anatomical terms, it is used to describe the location of a body part that is situated above another part in relation to the body's midline. This can be applied to various structures in the body, such as organs, bones, or muscles.
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30.
Coronal and Horizontal planes may be referred to as transverse planes.
A.
True
B.
False
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation The statement is False. The transverse plane is a horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower portions, while the coronal plane is a vertical plane that divides the body into front and back portions. Only Horizontal plane may be referred to as transverse planes.
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