Anatomical Terminology Quiz: How Well Do You Know?
Reviewed by Airolle Queen De La Cruz
Airolle Queen De La Cruz, BPharm|
Medical Writer
Review Board Member
Airolle is an accomplished and passionate professional with a strong background in medical content writing, proofreading, and fact-checking. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy with an emphasis on Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Sacred Heart College, Lucena City, Quezon. She is skilled in Pharmaceutical Research, Regulatory Requirements, Regulatory Documentation, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The editorial team at ProProfs Quizzes consists of a select group of subject experts, trivia writers, and quiz masters who have authored over 10,000 quizzes taken by more than 100 million users. This team includes our in-house seasoned quiz moderators and subject matter experts. Our editorial experts, spread across the world, are rigorously trained using our comprehensive guidelines to ensure that you receive the highest quality quizzes.
Are you ready to dive into the world of anatomical terminology? Put your knowledge to the test with our comprehensive Anatomical Position Quiz. This quiz is carefully crafted to evaluate your understanding of essential anatomical language, directional terms, joint movements, and beyond. Through a series of thought-provoking questions, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your grasp of anatomical concepts.
From identifying body planes to recognizing the precise terms used to describe movement and positions, this anatomical terms quiz covers it all. Challenge yourself and aim for the highest score as you navigate through the intricacies of anatomical terminology. This Anatomical Read moreTerminology Quiz will undoubtedly enhance your anatomical knowledge. So, give it your best shot and see if you can conquer the world of anatomical terminology!
Anatomical Terminology Questions and Answers
1.
Which answer describes the "Anatomical Position"?
A.
Standing erect, facing the observer, arms at the side, and palms facing to your side
B.
Standing erect, facing the observer, arms at the side, and palms facing forward
C.
Standing erect, facing the observer, arms at the side, and palms facing back
D.
Standing erect, facing the observer, arms at the side, and palms facing outward
Correct Answer
B. Standing erect, facing the observer, arms at the side, and palms facing forward
Explanation In the field of anatomy, the "Anatomical Position" serves as the standard reference framework for describing the relative positions of body parts. This position involves standing upright with feet together, facing the observer, arms at the side, and palms facing forward. This standardized stance is crucial for medical professionals, researchers, and students to accurately communicate and understand spatial relationships between body parts, enhancing the precision and consistency in the field of anatomy.
Rate this question:
2.
Which statement is correct?
A.
The neck is superior to the pelvis.
B.
The chest is inferior to the stomach.
C.
The hip is superior to the shoulder.
D.
The ribs are superior to the chin.
Correct Answer
A. The neck is superior to the pelvis.
Explanation The statement "The neck is superior to the pelvis" is correct because anatomically, the neck is positioned above the pelvis in the human body. The neck connects the head to the rest of the body, while the pelvis is located in the lower part of the trunk. Therefore, in terms of anatomical position and directionality, the neck is considered superior to the pelvis.
Rate this question:
3.
Mrs. Jones is walking toward you. You are looking at her from a (an)_______________view?
A.
Posterior
B.
Dorsal
C.
Anterior
D.
Proximal
Correct Answer
C. Anterior
Explanation Anterior refers to the front or forward-facing direction. In this scenario, since Mrs. Jones is walking towards the person, they are looking at her from an anterior view. This means that the person is facing Mrs. Jones and observing her from the front.
Rate this question:
4.
Which statement is correct?
A.
The inside of the thigh is lateral to the outside of the thigh.
B.
The shoulder is lateral to the neck.
C.
The knee is lateral to the hip.
D.
The ankle is medial to the foot.
Correct Answer
B. The shoulder is lateral to the neck.
Explanation The correct answer is that the shoulder is lateral to the neck. Lateral refers to the direction away from the midline of the body, and the shoulder is located further away from the midline compared to the neck. This means that the shoulder is positioned on the side of the body, while the neck is more towards the center.
Rate this question:
5.
Which statement is correct?
A.
The knee is proximal to the hip.
B.
The hip is proximal to the knee.
C.
The shoulder is distal to the elbow.
D.
The knee is distal to the ankle.
Correct Answer
B. The hip is proximal to the knee.
Explanation The statement "The hip is proximal to the knee" is correct because the term "proximal" refers to a body part that is closer to the point of attachment or the center of the body. In this case, the hip is closer to the center of the body compared to the knee, making it the proximal structure.
Rate this question:
6.
Mrs. Smith has poison ivy on her shoulder, the poor thing. She reaches her right hand over to her left shoulder to "scratch that itch." Which movement is occurring at her ELBOW joint?
A.
Extension
B.
Circumduction
C.
Flexion
D.
Supination
Correct Answer
C. Flexion
Explanation Flexion is the correct answer because when Mrs. Smith reaches her right hand over to her left shoulder to scratch the itch caused by the poison ivy, her elbow joint is bending. Flexion refers to the movement that decreases the angle between two bones at a joint, and in this case, the angle between the upper arm bone (humerus) and the forearm bones (radius and ulna) is decreasing as Mrs. Smith brings her hand closer to her shoulder.
Rate this question:
7.
Which movement is occurring at Mrs. Smith's right shoulder when she "scratches that itch"?
A.
External Rotation
B.
Circumduction
C.
Lateral Flexion
D.
Internal Rotation
Correct Answer
D. Internal Rotation
Explanation Internal rotation refers to the movement of a body part towards the midline of the body. In the given scenario, when Mrs. Smith "scratches that itch" using her right shoulder, she is likely moving her arm inward towards her body's midline, indicating internal rotation at her right shoulder. This movement allows her to reach the itchy spot on her body.
Rate this question:
8.
Jane feels compelled to do a few jumping jacks. Which movement is taking place as her hands come together above her head?
A.
Lateral Flexion
B.
Internal Rotation
C.
Abduction
Correct Answer
C. Abduction
Explanation As Jane's hands come together above her head while doing jumping jacks, the movement taking place is abduction. Abduction refers to the movement of a body part away from the midline of the body or the central axis of a limb. In this case, Jane's arms are moving away from the midline of her body as she raises them above her head during the jumping jack exercise.
Rate this question:
9.
Jane has completed those jumping jacks. Her hands are now at her side. Which movement did she complete?
A.
Adduction
B.
Abduction
C.
Internal Rotation
D.
Lateral Flexion
Correct Answer
A. Adduction
Explanation Adduction refers to the movement of a body part towards the midline of the body. In this scenario, Jane's hands were initially away from her body while performing jumping jacks, but now they are at her side, indicating that she has brought her hands closer to the midline of her body. Therefore, the correct movement that Jane completed is adduction.
Rate this question:
10.
Tilt your head, bringing your right ear to your right shoulder. What is the movement of your neck?
A.
Rotation
B.
Lateral Flexion
C.
Medial Flexion
D.
External Flexion
Correct Answer
B. Lateral Flexion
Explanation Lateral flexion refers to the movement of the neck where the head is tilted to the side, bringing the right ear towards the right shoulder. This movement occurs in the frontal plane, allowing the neck to bend sideways. Rotation, on the other hand, refers to the movement of the neck where the head is turned or rotated. Medial flexion and external flexion are not valid terms used to describe the movement of the neck.
Rate this question:
11.
Mrs. Cicoria is mad at Mr. Cicoria. Her posture is as follows:
She is standing with her left foot pointed forward, her right foot is pointed out the side, her hands are on her hips, and she is tapping her right foot up and down off the floor. Which answer best describes the action of her right HIP joint?
A.
Flexion
B.
External Rotation
C.
Extension
D.
Internal Rotation
Correct Answer
B. External Rotation
Explanation The action of her right HIP joint can be best described as external rotation. External rotation refers to the movement of a body part away from the midline or center of the body. In this case, the right foot pointed out to the side indicates that the hip joint is externally rotated.
Rate this question:
12.
The reason Mrs. Cicoria is angry is that she held out her right hand, PALM UP, waiting for Mr. Cicoria to give her some cash so that she could go shopping. What best describes this movement?
A.
Pronation
B.
Supination
C.
Adduction
D.
Rotation
Correct Answer
B. Supination
Explanation Supination best describes the movement of Mrs. Cicoria's right hand when she held it out with her palm up, waiting for Mr. Cicoria to give her cash. Supination refers to the movement of the forearm and hand in a way that turns the palm facing upward or forward. In this case, Mrs. Cicoria's palm was facing upward, indicating supination.
Rate this question:
13.
GI Joe is working on his third set of thirty push-ups. Which best describes the position he is in?
A.
Strong
B.
Supine
C.
Distal
D.
Prone
Correct Answer
D. Prone
Explanation The term "prone" refers to a position where the person is lying face down with their chest and stomach touching the ground. In the given scenario, GI Joe is working on his third set of push-ups, which typically involves lying face down on the ground and pushing himself up using his arms. Therefore, the best description for the position he is in is "prone".
Rate this question:
14.
What is the movement of her ankles if she stands on her tiptoe to get her hands on her favorite dish in the cupboard?
A.
Plantar Flexion
B.
Extension
C.
Dorsiflexion
D.
Anterior Rotation
Correct Answer
A. Plantar Flexion
Explanation When a person stands on their tiptoes, their ankles move in a motion called plantar flexion. Plantar flexion is the movement where the top of the foot moves away from the shin, pointing the toes downward. This motion allows the person to reach higher and extend their reach, enabling them to get their hands on the favorite dish in the cupboard.
Rate this question:
15.
Mark is sitting in a chair, legs out in front of him, resting on an ottoman. His knees are:
A.
Hyperextended
B.
Rotated
C.
Flexed
D.
Extended
Correct Answer
D. Extended
Explanation Mark's knees are extended because they are straightened and not bent. In this position, his legs are out in front of him and resting on an ottoman, indicating that his knees are not flexed or hyperextended. Additionally, there is no mention of his knees being rotated, so the correct answer is extended.
Rate this question:
16.
Remember when Mrs. Cicoria was mad, she was tapping her right foot on the floor? Which best describes her ANKLE movement as her foot lifts off the floor in an UPWARD motion?
A.
Plantar Flexion
B.
DorsiflexionÂ
C.
Inversion
D.
Eversion
Correct Answer
B. DorsiflexionÂ
Explanation When Mrs. Cicoria lifts her foot off the floor in an upward motion, the best description for her ankle movement is dorsiflexion. Dorsiflexion refers to the movement of the foot towards the shin, which is what happens when the foot is lifted off the floor in an upward motion.
Rate this question:
17.
Tom has just received his new Hoveround! As he prepares to get into his chair safely, he straightens and braces his left arm on the left armrest of the chair. He bends forward to flip up the footplate of the chair. Which movements have occurred at his ELBOW and HIP joints?
A.
Flexion of the elbow, Extension of the hip.
B.
Abduction of the elbow, flexion of the hip.
C.
Extension of the elbow, flexion of the hip.
D.
Abduction of the elbow, adduction of the hip.
Correct Answer
C. Extension of the elbow, flexion of the hip.
Explanation In the scenario described, movements have occurred at Tom's ELBOW and HIP joints. This involves extending the elbow joint as Tom straightens his left arm to brace it on the armrest. Bending forward involves flexion at the hip joint as Tom leans forward to flip up the footplate of the chair.
Rate this question:
18.
Which BEST describes the action you complete every day when you turn OFF the ignition of your van?
A.
Supination
B.
External Rotation
C.
Internal Rotation
D.
Pronation
Correct Answer
C. Internal Rotation
Explanation When turning off the ignition of a van, the action typically involves rotating your arm towards your body, which is described as internal rotation. This movement refers to the rotation of the humerus (upper arm bone) in the shoulder joint towards the center of the body. Supination and pronation refer to the rotation of the forearm, while external rotation is the opposite of internal rotation.
Rate this question:
19.
Jillian is the cutest baby; she is lying in her crib, playing with the toy that is hanging above her. What position is Jillian lying in?
A.
Supine
B.
Prone
C.
Flexed
D.
Extended
Correct Answer
A. Supine
Explanation Jillian is lying in the supine position. The supine position refers to lying flat on the back, facing upward. In this position, the person's chest and abdomen are facing upward, while the back is in contact with the surface they are lying on. Since the question states that Jillian is lying in her crib and playing with a toy above her, it suggests that she is lying on her back, which corresponds to the supine position.
Rate this question:
20.
Which statement is correct?
A.
The ear is medial to the eye.
B.
The chin is anterior to the nose.
C.
The elbow is proximal to the shoulder.
D.
The elbow is distal to the shoulder.
Correct Answer
D. The elbow is distal to the shoulder.
Explanation The statement "The elbow is distal to the shoulder" is correct because when referring to the position of body parts, distal means further away from the point of attachment or origin. In this case, the elbow is further away from the point of attachment to the body (shoulder) compared to the shoulder itself.
Rate this question:
Airolle Queen De La Cruz |BPharm|
Medical Writer
Airolle is an accomplished and passionate professional with a strong background in medical content writing, proofreading, and fact-checking. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy with an emphasis on Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Sacred Heart College, Lucena City, Quezon. She is skilled in Pharmaceutical Research, Regulatory Requirements, Regulatory Documentation, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.