Registered Nurse RN

Registered Nurse, Free Care Plans, Free NCLEX Review, Nurse Salary, and much more. Join the nursing revolution.

  • RN
    • Nursing Clinical Skills
  • Nursing Videos
  • Blog
  • Nursing School
  • Nursing Care Plans
  • Nursing Quizzes
  • Nursing
  • Nursing Jobs
  • NCLEX Review
  • Store

Directional Terms Quiz Anatomy

This directional terms quiz will test your knowledge on the directional terms in human anatomy, as well as the anatomical position. It’s important to know these directional terms, as they will provide you with a standard reference for anatomical structures. Remember, anatomy builds on itself, so if you learn these terms early, it will help you in your studies of human anatomy.

This quiz will cover directional terms such as superior and inferior, lateral and medial (and intermediate), proximal and distal, anterior and posterior, and superficial and deep.

Don’t forget to watch the anatomical position and directional terms lecture on YouTube, as well as our article on the directional terms for anatomy.

anatomical terms, directional terms quiz, anatomy physiology quizzes, nursing

Anatomical Position and Directional Terms Quiz

Learn anatomical position and the directional terms.

(NOTE: When you hit submit, it will refresh this same page. Scroll down to see your results.)

Directional Terms Quiz for Anatomy and Physiology

1. Which statement is false regarding the anatomical position?

a. The palms face the front.

b. The thumbs point away from the body.

c. The head is turned to the left side.

d. The posture is standing erect.

Answer c is the false statement. The head is looking forward in the anatomical position, not to the side.

2. The nose is superior to the navel.

a. True

b. False

The correct answer is a, true. The nose is superior (above) to the navel.

3. What’s another name for anterior:

a. Dorsal

b. Ventral

c. Cranial

d. Caudal

The answer is b, ventral. Dorsal is another word for posterior.

4. The word anterior means:

a. At or toward the front of the body

b. Away from the insertion point of a structure.

c. At the back or rear of the body.

d. Toward the middle of the body.

The answer is a, toward the front of the body. Remember: Abs (abdominal muscles) are on the anterior side of the body.

5. The wrist is distal to the elbow.

a. True

b. False

The answer is a, true. Distal means farther away from the point of insertion to a body’s structure. Remember: when you hold a pistol, it’s distal to the upper arm.

6. What’s another word for “superior?”

a. Internal

b. Caudal

c. External

d. Cranial

The answer is d, cranial. Remember, the “head” of a company will be the superior authority to his or her employees. Caudal is another word for inferior.

7. The skin is _________ to the skeletal bones.

a. Superior

b. Proximal

c. Superficial

d. Inferior

The answer is c, superficial. Remember, superficial means on or toward the body’s surface. Deep means away from the body’s surface. Although proximal means “near,” that term is referring to an attachment point or origin of a structure such as the limbs.

8. The heart is _______ to the shoulder.

a. Medial

b. Lateral

c. Distal

d. Proximal

The answer is a, medial. Medial means toward the midline (or middle) of the body. The heart is closer to the midline of the body in comparison to the shoulder.

9. The elbow is _________between the wrist and shoulder.

a. Medial

b. Intermediate

c. Distal

d. Lateral

The answer is b, intermediate. Intermediate means that something is between two structures.

10. What is the term for the backside in the anatomical position:

a. Anterior

b. Ventral

c. Caudal

d. Posterior

The answer is d, posterior. Posterior is another word for a person’s backside. The prefix “post” means behind. The anterior is the front (or towards the front) of a person’s body.

11. The radius (forearm bone) is ________ to the humerus (upper arm bone).

a. Intermediate

b. Proximal

c. Distal

d. Anterior

The answer is c, distal. The forearm is further away from the point of insertion (shoulder) than the upper arm bone (humerus).

Don’t forget to tell your friends about this quiz by sharing it your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. You can also take more fun nursing quizzes.

*Disclaimer: While we do our best to provide students with accurate and in-depth study quizzes, this quiz/test is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  This quiz is copyright RegisteredNurseRN.com. Please do not copy this quiz directly; however, please feel free to share a link to this page with students, friends, and others.

Please Share:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
Nursing Gear

RSS Latest YouTube Videos

  • Flexion and Extension Anatomy: Shoulder, Hip, Forearm, Neck, Leg, Thumb, Wrist, Spine, Finger
  • Recap a Needle Using the One-Hand Scoop Technique Nursing Skill | Medication Administration
  • Elevation and Depression Anatomy Body Movement Terms (Mandible & Scapula)
  • Car Seat Safety Teaching: Nursing Care & Discharge Pediatric Maternity Nurse NCLEX Review

Recent Posts

  • Benzodiazepines (Anxiolytic and Sedative-Hypnotic) NCLEX Nursing Questions Quiz
  • Flexion and Extension
  • Flexion and Extension Anatomy Quiz
  • One-Hand Scoop Technique

Disclosure and Privacy Policy

This website provides entertainment value only, not medical advice or nursing protocols. We strive for 100% accuracy, but nursing procedures and state laws are constantly changing. By accessing any content on this site or its related media channels, you agree never to hold us liable for damages, harm, loss, or misinformation. See our full disclosure and privacy policy. Copyright Notice: Do not copy this site, articles, images, or its contents without permission.

Important Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Follow Us on Social Media

  • Facebook Nursing
  • Instagram Nursing
  • Twitter Nursing
  • YouTube Nursing

Get Free Email Updates:

Enter your email address below and hit "Submit" to receive free email updates and nursing tips.

Copyright © 2021 RegisteredNurseRN.com. All Rights Reserved.