The language of position
Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
In anatomical terms, 'distal' means:
Answer: A. Distal means farther from the trunk or origin — the hand is distal to the elbow. Proximal is its opposite.
Question 2 of 5
In anatomical position, the term 'medial' means:
Answer: A. Medial and lateral are a side-to-side pair; superior and inferior run head to foot; anterior and posterior run front to back.
Question 3 of 5
The shoulder blade is anatomically called the:
Answer: B. The scapula is the flat, triangular shoulder blade.
Question 4 of 5
The collarbone is anatomically called the:
Answer: B. The clavicle is the collarbone, connecting the arm to the trunk.
Question 5 of 5
Which type of joint is the knee?
Answer: A. The knee is a hinge joint, moving mainly in one plane (flexion and extension). The hip and shoulder are ball-and-socket joints, which move in many planes.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
