448 Chapter 9 Human Body Orientation
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Recall Activity
1. Which of the following body parts is most superior?
A. hip
B. chest
C. ankle
D. knee
2. Your navel is __________________________ to your neck.
3. Which of the following body parts is most inferior?
A. eye
B. nose
C. neck
D. shoulder
4. Your elbow is __________________________ to your knee.
ad Hea
Shoulder o
Necck
Superior
Inferior
© Body Scientific International
Figure 9.11 If a body part is superior, it is closer to the head. If it is inferior, it is
closer to the feet.
Concept 3: Ventral and Dorsal
Ventral and l dorsal describe locations in relation to the front and back of the l
body. If a body part is ventral, it is closer to the front of the body. Another
word for ventral is anterior. If a body part is r r dorsal, it is closer to the back of
the body. Another word for dorsal is posterior. Your heart is ventral (anterior) r r
to your spine, and your spine is dorsal (posterior) to your heart. Your sternum
is ventral (anterior) to your heart, and your heart is dorsal (posterior) to your
sternum (Figure 9.12).
ventral closer to the front
of the body; also called
anterior
dorsal closer to the back
of the body; also called
posterior