Veterinary Anatomy Terminology – Directional, Positional Terms, Planes & Movements

44 question-and-answer flashcards covering planes, directional and positional terms, dental surfaces, membranes, basic movements, and regional synonyms from the veterinary anatomy terminology lecture.

Which anatomical plane divides the body into cranial and caudal portions?

Transverse (horizontal or cross-sectional) plane

Which plane divides the body into dorsal and ventral portions?

Dorsal (frontal or coronal) plane

What plane divides the body longitudinally into equal right and left halves?

Median plane

What is the name for planes parallel to the median plane that divide the body into unequal right and left parts?

Sagittal (paramedian) planes

Which directional term means “toward the upper surface of the body, away from the ground”?

Dorsal

Which directional term means “toward the ground or supporting surface of the body”?

Ventral

Which directional term means “toward or relatively near the head”?

Cranial

Which term, used only on the head, means “toward or relatively near the nose”?

Rostral

Which directional term means “toward or relatively near the tail”?

Caudal

What term denotes a location relatively near the main mass or point of origin (e.g., elbow vs. digit)?

Proximal

What term denotes a location away from the trunk or point of origin (e.g., carpus vs. elbow)?

Distal

Which directional term means “toward or relatively near the median plane”?

Medial

Which term means “away or relatively farther from the median plane”?

Lateral

What surface term describes the pad-bearing side of the forepaw?

Palmar surface

What term describes the pad-bearing side of the hindpaw?

Plantar surface

Which term refers to the side of a digit that faces the limb’s longitudinal axis?

Axial side

Which term refers to the side of a digit that faces away from the limb’s axis?

Abaxial side

Which term means “relatively near the surface of the body”?

Superficial

Which term means “relatively far from the surface, nearer the center of the body”?

Deep

In positional terminology, what does “dorsal recumbency” describe?

Lying on the back (supine)

What is meant by “ventral (sternal) recumbency”?

Lying on the belly (prone)

What does “lateral recumbency” indicate?

Lying on the left or right side

Which dental surface of mandibular teeth faces the tongue?

Lingual surface

Which dental surface of maxillary teeth faces the palate and tongue?

Palatal surface

Which dental surface faces the cheek and is also called the vestibular surface?

Buccal surface

Which dental surface comprises the areas of the teeth that meet during chewing?

Occlusal surface

Which dental surface faces the lips?

Labial surface

Which contact surface faces the next rostral or medial tooth?

Mesial surface

Which contact surface faces the caudal or next lateral tooth?

Distal surface (contact)

What membrane lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities and covers some organs?

Peritoneum

What is the outer layer of the peritoneum lining the abdominal and pelvic cavities called?

Parietal peritoneum

What is the inner layer of the peritoneum that surrounds abdominal organs called?

Visceral peritoneum

What is the pit in the abdominal wall marking the former entrance of the umbilical cord?

Umbilicus (navel)

Which basic movement decreases the angle at a joint?

Flexion

Which basic movement increases the angle at a joint?

Extension

Which movement takes a body part away from the median plane?

Abduction

Which movement brings a body part toward the median plane?

Adduction

What is the movement called when outlining the surface of a cone with a limb?

Circumduction

What movement involves turning a part around its long axis?

Rotation

What term describes lateral rotation of an appendage so that the palmar or plantar surface faces medially?

Supination

What term describes medial rotation of an appendage so that the palmar or plantar surface faces the ground?

Pronation

What regional synonym is used for the arm between the shoulder and the elbow?

Brachium

What regional synonym is used for the forearm between the elbow and the carpus?

Antebrachium

What anatomical term refers to the pelvic-limb segment between the hip and stifle?

Thigh

What term refers to the leg segment between the stifle and tarsus?

Crus