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Chapter 9 Human Body Orientation 449
Recall Activity
1. Ventral is to __________________________ as dorsal is to posterior.
2. Which body part is more ventral: the toes or the heel? ______________________________________________
3. If a body part is dorsal, it is closer to the __________________________ of the body.
4. Which body part is more dorsal: the fi ngernails or the palms? ______________________________________ fi
5. If a body part is ventral, it is closer to the __________________________ of the body.
6. Which body part is more anterior: the tip of the nose or the eyes? __________________________________
Heart
Sternum
Spine
Ventral
(anterior)
Dorsal
(posterior)
© Body Scientific International
Figure 9.12 Ventral refers to the front of the body, and l dorsal refers to the back. l
Concept 4: Medial, Lateral, and Intermediate
The terms medial, lateral, and intermediate describe locations in reference to
the middle (midsagittal plane) of the body. If a body part is medial, it is closer
to the middle (midsagittal plane). If a body part is lateral, it is farther from the
middle. A body part that is between one medial and one lateral body part is
called intermediate. For example, the radial nerve of your arm is lateral to your
sternum. Your sternum is medial to your arm’s ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve is
intermediate to the radial nerve and the sternum (Figure 9.13).
medial closer to the middle
(midsagittal plane) of the
body
lateral farther from the
middle (midsagittal plane)
of the body
intermediate between one
medial and one lateral body
part