Directional Terms Worksheet | PDF - Free Printable

Here are the answers to your Directional Terms Worksheet. I have written them as short sentences, just like the example on the page.

1. scalp to skull
The scalp is superficial to the skull.
*(Reasoning: The scalp is on the outside surface of the body, while the skull is deeper inside.)*

2. diaphragm to lung
The diaphragm is inferior to the lung.
*(Reasoning: The diaphragm is below the lungs in the body.)*

3. heart to diaphragm
The heart is superior to the diaphragm.
*(Reasoning: The heart is located above the diaphragm.)*

4. head to neck
The head is superior to the neck.
*(Reasoning: The head is above the neck.)*

5. wrist to hand
The wrist is proximal to the hand.
*(Reasoning: When looking at the arm, the wrist is closer to where the arm attaches to the body than the hand is.)*

6. esophagus to vertebral column
The esophagus is anterior to the vertebral column.
*(Reasoning: The esophagus is in front of the spine.)*

7. brain to spinal cord
The brain is superior to the spinal cord.
*(Reasoning: The brain is located above the spinal cord.)*

8. pelvis to thigh bone
The pelvis is proximal to the thigh bone.
*(Reasoning: The pelvis is closer to the main trunk of the body than the thigh bone is.)*

9. small intestines to stomach
The small intestines are inferior to the stomach.
*(Reasoning: The small intestines are located below the stomach.)*

10. fingers to hand
The fingers are distal to the hand.
*(Reasoning: The fingers are further away from the point where the arm attaches to the body compared to the palm/wrist area.)*

11. kneecap to knee joint
The kneecap is anterior to the knee joint.
*(Reasoning: The kneecap is on the front side of the knee joint.)*

12. eyes to brain
The eyes are anterior to the brain.
*(Reasoning: The eyes are located in front of the brain.)*

13. ears to head
The ears are lateral to the head (or face).
*(Reasoning: The ears are on the sides, away from the midline of the head.)*

14. thumb to elbow
The thumb is distal to the elbow.
*(Reasoning: The thumb is further down the arm, away from the shoulder attachment point, compared to the elbow.)*

15. vertebral column to trachea
The vertebral column is posterior to the trachea.
*(Reasoning: The spine is behind the windpipe.)*

16. fingernail to underlying skin
The fingernail is superficial to the underlying skin.
*(Reasoning: The nail is on the outermost layer, while the skin underneath is deeper.)*

17. Name the five body cavities.
The five major body cavities are:
1. Cranial cavity
2. Spinal (or Vertebral) cavity
3. Thoracic cavity
4. Abdominal cavity
5. Pelvic cavity
*(Note: Sometimes the Abdominal and Pelvic cavities are grouped together as the Abdominopelvic cavity, but listing them separately makes five.)*

18. What body cavities are located superior to the diaphragm? Inferior? Anterior? Posterior?
* Superior: The Thoracic cavity (which contains the heart and lungs).
* Inferior: The Abdominal and Pelvic cavities.
* Anterior: The Thoracic, Abdominal, and Pelvic cavities are all anterior to the spinal cavity.
* Posterior: The Cranial and Spinal cavities are posterior to the facial structures and thoracic/abdominal organs.

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Final Answer:

1. The scalp is superficial to the skull.
2. The diaphragm is inferior to the lung.
3. The heart is superior to the diaphragm.
4. The head is superior to the neck.
5. The wrist is proximal to the hand.
6. The esophagus is anterior to the vertebral column.
7. The brain is superior to the spinal cord.
8. The pelvis is proximal to the thigh bone.
9. The small intestines are inferior to the stomach.
10. The fingers are distal to the hand.
11. The kneecap is anterior to the knee joint.
12. The eyes are anterior to the brain.
13. The ears are lateral to the head.
14. The thumb is distal to the elbow.
15. The vertebral column is posterior to the trachea.
16. The fingernail is superficial to the underlying skin.
17. Cranial, Spinal, Thoracic, Abdominal, Pelvic.
18. Superior: Thoracic; Inferior: Abdominal/Pelvic; Anterior: Thoracic/Abdominal/Pelvic; Posterior: Cranial/Spinal.