Basic anatomical terminology MCQs With Answer

Basic anatomical terminology MCQs With Answer

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Basic anatomical terminology MCQs With Answer provides B. Pharm students with a focused review of essential anatomical terms, planes, directions, and regional vocabulary used in clinical practice and pharmacology. This concise, keyword-rich resource emphasizes anatomical position, directional terms (superior/inferior, medial/lateral, proximal/distal), body planes (sagittal, coronal, transverse), cavities, surface landmarks, and movement terminology—integral for drug administration, injection sites, and interpreting clinical reports. Questions integrate applied scenarios to deepen understanding and support laboratory and clinical correlations. Clear answers and targeted phrasing help reinforce memory and exam readiness. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which term describes the standard human body position used as a reference in anatomy?

  • Supine position
  • Prone position
  • Fowler’s position
  • Standard anatomical position (standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward)

Correct Answer: Standard anatomical position (standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward)

Q2. Which plane divides the body into left and right portions?

  • Coronal (frontal) plane
  • Transverse (horizontal) plane
  • Sagittal plane
  • Oblique plane

Correct Answer: Sagittal plane

Q3. The term ‘superior’ refers to which directional relationship?

  • Closer to the front of the body
  • Closer to the head or upper part of the body
  • Closer to the midline
  • Closer to the surface

Correct Answer: Closer to the head or upper part of the body

Q4. ‘Proximal’ and ‘distal’ are best applied to describe relationships in which structures?

  • Organs within a body cavity
  • Limbs and tubular structures like limbs and blood vessels
  • Superficial versus deep tissues
  • Cranial versus caudal regions

Correct Answer: Limbs and tubular structures like limbs and blood vessels

Q5. Which term means toward the front of the body in humans?

  • Posterior (dorsal)
  • Ventral (anterior)
  • Superior (cranial)
  • Medial

Correct Answer: Ventral (anterior)

Q6. The transverse plane is most useful for which imaging or anatomical section?

  • Longitudinal ultrasound view of a tendon
  • Axial CT/MRI cross-sections
  • Coronal X-ray of the chest
  • Sagittal MRI of the brain

Correct Answer: Axial CT/MRI cross-sections

Q7. Which pair of terms are opposites describing relative closeness to the midline?

  • Proximal and distal
  • Superficial and deep
  • Medial and lateral
  • Superior and inferior

Correct Answer: Medial and lateral

Q8. If a pharmacist reads ‘palmar surface’, which area is being referred to?

  • Back of the hand
  • Palm of the hand
  • Sole of the foot
  • Top of the foot

Correct Answer: Palm of the hand

Q9. Which term describes a structure nearer the skin surface?

  • Deep
  • Central
  • Superficial
  • Distal

Correct Answer: Superficial

Q10. ‘Ipsilateral’ refers to what relationship?

  • On the opposite side of the body
  • On the same side of the body
  • Between anterior and posterior surfaces
  • Between superficial and deep layers

Correct Answer: On the same side of the body

Q11. Which cavity contains the heart and lungs?

  • Abdominal cavity
  • Pelvic cavity
  • Thoracic cavity
  • Cranial cavity

Correct Answer: Thoracic cavity

Q12. Which descriptor best contrasts with ‘ventral’ in human anatomy?

  • Lateral
  • Posterior (dorsal)
  • Cranial
  • Proximal

Correct Answer: Posterior (dorsal)

Q13. When documenting an intramuscular injection site in the thigh, which landmark term is most relevant?

  • Midclavicular line
  • Anterior superior iliac spine and lateral thigh region
  • Inferior border of the rib cage
  • Sternal notch

Correct Answer: Anterior superior iliac spine and lateral thigh region

Q14. Which term refers to a plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts?

  • Sagittal plane
  • Transverse plane
  • Coronal (frontal) plane
  • Axial plane

Correct Answer: Coronal (frontal) plane

Q15. ‘Contralateral’ is used to describe which relationship?

  • Structures on the opposite side of the body
  • Structures in the same organ system
  • Structures at different depths
  • Structures along the same limb segment

Correct Answer: Structures on the opposite side of the body

Q16. In anatomical language, ‘caudal’ typically means:

  • Toward the head
  • Toward the tail or inferior part of the body
  • Toward the front
  • Toward the midline

Correct Answer: Toward the tail or inferior part of the body

Q17. Which term best identifies a movement that decreases the angle between two bones?

  • Extension
  • Abduction
  • Flexion
  • Rotation

Correct Answer: Flexion

Q18. The visceral and parietal layers are associated with which anatomical structures?

  • Layers of epidermis
  • Serous membranes lining organs and body cavities
  • Tendon sheaths only
  • Bone periosteum layers

Correct Answer: Serous membranes lining organs and body cavities

Q19. The word ‘rostral’ is most appropriately used to describe a location near the:

  • Back of the knee
  • Front end of the head or nose
  • Lower abdomen
  • Inner thigh

Correct Answer: Front end of the head or nose

Q20. Which description correctly differentiates axial from appendicular skeleton?

  • Axial includes limbs; appendicular includes skull and vertebrae
  • Axial includes skull, vertebral column, and rib cage; appendicular includes limbs and girdles
  • Axial is superficial bones only; appendicular is deep bones only
  • Axial pertains to cartilage; appendicular to bone

Correct Answer: Axial includes skull, vertebral column, and rib cage; appendicular includes limbs and girdles

Q21. Which anatomical term describes the side of the foot facing away from the midline?

  • Plantar
  • Medial
  • Lateral
  • Palmar

Correct Answer: Lateral

Q22. A mid-sagittal (median) section specifically divides the body into:

  • Upper and lower parts
  • Right and left equal halves along the midline
  • Anterior and posterior parts
  • Oblique angled segments

Correct Answer: Right and left equal halves along the midline

Q23. In prescriptions or reports, ‘superficial wound’ implies damage located where?

  • Deep to muscles and bones
  • Primarily involving skin and subcutaneous tissue
  • Inside a body cavity
  • Involving joint capsules

Correct Answer: Primarily involving skin and subcutaneous tissue

Q24. The term ‘dorsal’ in human anatomy commonly corresponds to which direction?

  • Front or ventral
  • Back or posterior
  • Toward the head
  • Toward the limbs

Correct Answer: Back or posterior

Q25. Which movement describes turning the sole of the foot inward toward the midline?

  • Eversion
  • Inversion
  • Abduction
  • Adduction

Correct Answer: Inversion

Q26. When a clinical note states ‘lateral to the umbilicus’, it refers to a location:

  • Closer to the midline
  • On either side of the navel, away from the midline
  • Above the navel only
  • Below the navel only

Correct Answer: On either side of the navel, away from the midline

Q27. ‘Palpation’ as an anatomical clinical technique means:

  • Listening to internal sounds with a stethoscope
  • Using imaging techniques only
  • Examining structures by touch with hands
  • Cutting tissue for inspection

Correct Answer: Examining structures by touch with hands

Q28. Which term describes a cut made parallel to the long axis of an organ?

  • Transverse (cross) section
  • Longitudinal section
  • Oblique cross-section
  • Coronal section

Correct Answer: Longitudinal section

Q29. The anatomical term ‘inferior’ can be synonymously used with which term in humans?

  • Cranial
  • Distal
  • Caudal
  • Anterior

Correct Answer: Caudal

Q30. Which descriptive term would a clinician use for a structure located between two other structures?

  • Proximal
  • Intermediate
  • Distal
  • Lateral

Correct Answer: Intermediate

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