Directional Terms Worksheet | PDF - Free Printable

Here is the completed Directional Terms Worksheet with accurate anatomical directional terms and explanations for each relationship. I’ve also answered questions 17 and 18.

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Directional Terms Worksheet — Answers

1. scalp to skull
→ *The scalp is superficial to the skull.*
*Explanation:* The scalp is the outermost layer of skin and tissue covering the skull, so it lies “on top” or externally relative to the bone.

2. diaphragm to lung
→ *The diaphragm is inferior to the lungs.*
*Explanation:* In standard anatomical position, the diaphragm sits below the lungs, forming the floor of the thoracic cavity.

3. heart to diaphragm
→ *The heart is superior to the diaphragm.*
*Explanation:* The heart rests above the diaphragm within the thoracic cavity.

4. head to neck
→ *The head is superior to the neck.*
*Explanation:* The head is positioned above the neck in the vertical axis of the body.

5. wrist to hand
→ *The wrist is proximal to the hand.*
*Explanation:* Proximal means closer to the point of attachment (shoulder). The wrist is closer to the arm than the hand is.

6. esophagus to vertebral column
→ *The esophagus is anterior to the vertebral column.*
*Explanation:* The esophagus runs in front of (in front of) the spine as it descends through the thorax.

7. brain to spinal cord
→ *The brain is superior to the spinal cord.*
*Explanation:* The brain is located above the spinal cord, which extends downward from the brainstem.

8. pelvis to thigh bone
→ *The pelvis is proximal to the thigh bone (femur).*
*Explanation:* The femur attaches to the pelvis at the hip joint, so the pelvis is closer to the body’s core — hence proximal.

9. small intestines to stomach
→ *The small intestines are inferior to the stomach.*
*Explanation:* Digestive tract flows from stomach → duodenum (first part of small intestine), so intestines lie below the stomach.

10. fingers to hand
→ *The fingers are distal to the hand.*
*Explanation:* Distal means farther from the point of attachment. Fingers extend away from the palm/hand.

11. kneecap to knee joint
→ *The kneecap (patella) is anterior to the knee joint.*
*Explanation:* The patella sits in front of the knee joint, protecting it and acting as a lever for the quadriceps.

12. eyes to brain
→ *The eyes are inferior and anterior to the brain.*
*Explanation:* Eyes are located in front of and slightly below the main mass of the brain within the skull.

13. ears to head
→ *The ears are lateral to the head.*
*Explanation:* “Head” here refers to the midline structures (like face/nose). Ears are on the sides of the head — lateral.

*(Note: If “head” means the entire cranium, then ears are part of it — but contextually, this asks for directional relation to the central head structure.)*

14. thumb to elbow
→ *The thumb is distal to the elbow.*
*Explanation:* The elbow is proximal (closer to shoulder); the thumb is farthest from the shoulder along the limb.

15. vertebral column to trachea
→ *The vertebral column is posterior to the trachea.*
*Explanation:* The trachea runs in front of the spine in the neck and thorax.

16. fingernail to underlying skin
→ *The fingernail is superficial to the underlying skin.*
*Explanation:* The nail plate sits on top of the nail bed (skin), making it superficial.

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17. Name the five body cavities.

✔ The five major body cavities are:

1. Cranial cavity – houses the brain.
2. Thoracic cavity – contains heart and lungs; subdivided into:
- Pleural cavities (left and right, around lungs)
- Pericardial cavity (around heart)
3. Abdominal cavity – contains stomach, liver, intestines, etc.
4. Pelvic cavity – contains bladder, reproductive organs, rectum.
5. *(Sometimes combined as Abdominopelvic cavity)*

> Note: Some sources list four primary cavities (cranial, thoracic, abdominal, pelvic), but if counting subdivisions, you may say five by separating pleural/pericardial — however, the most common answer for “five” includes:
> - Cranial
> - Thoracic
> - Abdominal
> - Pelvic
> - Spinal (vertebral canal)

✔ Best Answer (Standard):
Cranial cavity, Thoracic cavity, Abdominal cavity, Pelvic cavity, and Spinal cavity.

*(Spinal cavity contains the spinal cord and is enclosed by the vertebral column.)*

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18. What body cavities are located superior to the diaphragm? Inferior? Anterior? Posterior?

✔ Superior to the diaphragm:
→ Thoracic cavity (contains heart and lungs)

✔ Inferior to the diaphragm:
→ Abdominal cavity and Pelvic cavity (often grouped as abdominopelvic cavity)

✔ Anterior to the diaphragm:
→ Thoracic cavity (front of chest) and Abdominal cavity (front of abdomen) — both lie anteriorly relative to the diaphragm’s posterior surface.

✔ Posterior to the diaphragm:
→ Spinal cavity (vertebral column runs behind the diaphragm) — technically, the diaphragm attaches to the posterior abdominal wall and lumbar vertebrae, so the spinal cavity is posterior to it.

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✔ Final Summary:

- Directional terms help describe spatial relationships between body parts using standardized vocabulary (superior/inferior, anterior/posterior, proximal/distal, superficial/deep, medial/lateral).
- Always refer to anatomical position when applying these terms.
- Body cavities are compartments that protect and contain organs — understanding their location relative to landmarks like the diaphragm is essential for clinical and anatomical reasoning.

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for these terms!