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A&P 1 Module 1 Lab – Advanced Active
Recall Study Guide for Anatomy and
Physiology
Supplemental Study Resource for Mastery Through Teaching & Self-Assessment
SECTION 1: DIGITAL FLASHCARD SET (60 Cards)
ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY (8 Cards)
CARD 1: Front: What is the difference between the anatomical position and the supine
position? Back: Anatomical position = standing upright, feet together, palms facing forward,
eyes forward. Supine = lying face-up on the back. Anatomical position is the universal reference
point; supine is a common clinical position for examinations. Memory Trick: "SUPine = you're UP
facing the ceiling."
CARD 2: Front: Define "proximal" and "distal" and give an example using the forearm. Back:
Proximal = closer to the point of attachment or trunk (the elbow is proximal to the wrist). Distal
= farther from the point of attachment (the wrist is distal to the elbow). These terms always
describe relative position along a limb. Memory Trick: "PROximal = PROceeding toward the
trunk; DISTal = DISTance from the trunk."
CARD 3: Front: How do medial and lateral differ from proximal and distal? Back: Medial/lateral
describe position relative to the midline of the body (medial = toward midline; lateral = away
from midline). Proximal/distal describe position along a limb relative to attachment. The knee is
proximal to the ankle (along the leg) but NOT medial to the ankle — the knee and ankle are on
the same longitudinal axis, not across the midline. Memory Trick: "MEDial = MIDline; LATERal =
LATITUDE (side to side)."
CARD 4: Front: What is the difference between superficial and deep? Between proximal and
inferior? Back: Superficial = toward the body surface (skin is superficial to muscle). Deep = away
from the surface (bone is deep to skin). Proximal/inferior are NOT interchangeable — proximal
is limb-specific (toward attachment), while inferior means below another structure (the feet are
,2
inferior to the head, but the ankle is distal to the knee, NOT inferior). Memory Trick:
"SUPERficial = SURFace; INFERior = INFERiority complex puts you DOWN."
CARD 5: Front: Define anterior, posterior, dorsal, and ventral. Are they always interchangeable?
Back: Anterior = front; posterior = back. Ventral = belly side; dorsal = back side. In humans,
anterior/ventral and posterior/dorsal are generally synonymous. However, in four-legged
animals, dorsal = back (top), ventral = belly (bottom) — so "dorsal" corresponds to superior, not
posterior. Memory Trick: "VENTral = VENT (belly button area); DORSal = rhymes with HORSE's
back."
CARD 6: Front: What is the difference between ipsilateral and contralateral? Give an example.
Back: Ipsilateral = on the same side of the body (the right hand and right foot are ipsilateral).
Contralateral = on opposite sides (the right hand and left foot are contralateral). Used
frequently in neurology to describe reflexes and brain pathways. Memory Trick: "IPSI = SAME
side (like 'ipse' = self in Latin); CONTRA = CONTRARY/opposite."
CARD 7: Front: Define "prone" and distinguish it from "supine." When would a patient be
placed in each position? Back: Prone = lying face-down (on the stomach). Supine = lying face-up
(on the back). Prone is used for back surgeries and some spinal examinations; supine is standard
for abdominal exams and most initial patient assessments. Memory Trick: "PROne = you're
PROstrate, face-planting; SUPine = you're SUPported on your back."
CARD 8: Front: What is the difference between a sagittal, frontal (coronal), and transverse
(horizontal) plane? Back: Sagittal = divides body into left and right parts (midsagittal = equal
halves). Frontal/coronal = divides into anterior and posterior parts. Transverse/horizontal =
divides into superior and inferior parts. These are the three fundamental planes of section used
in imaging and dissection. Memory Trick: "SAGittal = SAMurai cuts left-right; FRONtal = FRONT
door divides front/back; TRANSverse = TRAIN crossing divides top/bottom."
BODY CAVITIES & MEMBRANES (7 Cards)
CARD 9: Front: Name the two main body cavities and their subdivisions. Back: Dorsal cavity
(cranial cavity + vertebral/spinal cavity) and ventral cavity (thoracic cavity + abdominopelvic
cavity). The ventral cavity is further divided by the diaphragm: thoracic above, abdominopelvic
, 3
below. The abdominopelvic cavity has no physical separation between abdominal and pelvic
regions. Memory Trick: "DORSal = brain and spine (posterior/protected); VENTral = everything
else (anterior/larger)."
CARD 10: Front: What are the two layers of serous membranes? Where is each layer located?
Back: Parietal layer = lines the cavity wall (like wallpaper). Visceral layer = covers the organ
surface (like wrapping paper). Between them is serous fluid that reduces friction. Example:
parietal pleura lines the thoracic wall; visceral pleura covers the lungs. Memory Trick: "PARIETal
= PARIETal wall of a room; VISCEral = VISCEra = organs inside."
CARD 11: Front: Name the three serous membranes and the cavities they line. What organs do
they cover? Back: 1) Pleura = lines pleural cavity, covers lungs. 2) Pericardium = lines pericardial
cavity, covers heart. 3) Peritoneum = lines peritoneal cavity, covers abdominal organs. All are
serous membranes producing lubricating fluid. Memory Trick: "PLEURA = LUNGs (both have 'U');
PERICARDIUM = CARDIAC/heart; PERITONEUM = TUMMY/tone-abdomen."
CARD 12: Front: What is the mediastinum? Is it a body cavity? Back: The mediastinum is the
central compartment of the thoracic cavity between the lungs. It is NOT a serous membrane-
lined cavity — it's a subdivision containing the heart, thymus, trachea, esophagus, and major
vessels. It is bounded by the pleural cavities laterally. Memory Trick: "MEDIastinum = MIDDLE of
the chest; think 'median' or 'middle ground.'"
CARD 13: Front: What is the difference between the peritoneal cavity and the retroperitoneal
space? Name two retroperitoneal organs. Back: The peritoneal cavity is the potential space
between parietal and visceral peritoneum. Retroperitoneal organs lie BEHIND the parietal
peritoneum (against the posterior abdominal wall) and are NOT suspended by mesentery.
Examples: kidneys, pancreas, duodenum (parts), ascending and descending colon. Memory
Trick: "RETRO = RETRO/behind; RETROperitoneal = RETROgrade = going backward behind the
peritoneum."
CARD 14: Front: What is the difference between the visceral pericardium and the epicardium?
Back: They are the SAME structure. The visceral pericardium is the serous membrane layer that
covers the heart; when considered as part of the heart wall, it is called the epicardium. The
A&P 1 Module 1 Lab – Advanced Active
Recall Study Guide for Anatomy and
Physiology
Supplemental Study Resource for Mastery Through Teaching & Self-Assessment
SECTION 1: DIGITAL FLASHCARD SET (60 Cards)
ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY (8 Cards)
CARD 1: Front: What is the difference between the anatomical position and the supine
position? Back: Anatomical position = standing upright, feet together, palms facing forward,
eyes forward. Supine = lying face-up on the back. Anatomical position is the universal reference
point; supine is a common clinical position for examinations. Memory Trick: "SUPine = you're UP
facing the ceiling."
CARD 2: Front: Define "proximal" and "distal" and give an example using the forearm. Back:
Proximal = closer to the point of attachment or trunk (the elbow is proximal to the wrist). Distal
= farther from the point of attachment (the wrist is distal to the elbow). These terms always
describe relative position along a limb. Memory Trick: "PROximal = PROceeding toward the
trunk; DISTal = DISTance from the trunk."
CARD 3: Front: How do medial and lateral differ from proximal and distal? Back: Medial/lateral
describe position relative to the midline of the body (medial = toward midline; lateral = away
from midline). Proximal/distal describe position along a limb relative to attachment. The knee is
proximal to the ankle (along the leg) but NOT medial to the ankle — the knee and ankle are on
the same longitudinal axis, not across the midline. Memory Trick: "MEDial = MIDline; LATERal =
LATITUDE (side to side)."
CARD 4: Front: What is the difference between superficial and deep? Between proximal and
inferior? Back: Superficial = toward the body surface (skin is superficial to muscle). Deep = away
from the surface (bone is deep to skin). Proximal/inferior are NOT interchangeable — proximal
is limb-specific (toward attachment), while inferior means below another structure (the feet are
,2
inferior to the head, but the ankle is distal to the knee, NOT inferior). Memory Trick:
"SUPERficial = SURFace; INFERior = INFERiority complex puts you DOWN."
CARD 5: Front: Define anterior, posterior, dorsal, and ventral. Are they always interchangeable?
Back: Anterior = front; posterior = back. Ventral = belly side; dorsal = back side. In humans,
anterior/ventral and posterior/dorsal are generally synonymous. However, in four-legged
animals, dorsal = back (top), ventral = belly (bottom) — so "dorsal" corresponds to superior, not
posterior. Memory Trick: "VENTral = VENT (belly button area); DORSal = rhymes with HORSE's
back."
CARD 6: Front: What is the difference between ipsilateral and contralateral? Give an example.
Back: Ipsilateral = on the same side of the body (the right hand and right foot are ipsilateral).
Contralateral = on opposite sides (the right hand and left foot are contralateral). Used
frequently in neurology to describe reflexes and brain pathways. Memory Trick: "IPSI = SAME
side (like 'ipse' = self in Latin); CONTRA = CONTRARY/opposite."
CARD 7: Front: Define "prone" and distinguish it from "supine." When would a patient be
placed in each position? Back: Prone = lying face-down (on the stomach). Supine = lying face-up
(on the back). Prone is used for back surgeries and some spinal examinations; supine is standard
for abdominal exams and most initial patient assessments. Memory Trick: "PROne = you're
PROstrate, face-planting; SUPine = you're SUPported on your back."
CARD 8: Front: What is the difference between a sagittal, frontal (coronal), and transverse
(horizontal) plane? Back: Sagittal = divides body into left and right parts (midsagittal = equal
halves). Frontal/coronal = divides into anterior and posterior parts. Transverse/horizontal =
divides into superior and inferior parts. These are the three fundamental planes of section used
in imaging and dissection. Memory Trick: "SAGittal = SAMurai cuts left-right; FRONtal = FRONT
door divides front/back; TRANSverse = TRAIN crossing divides top/bottom."
BODY CAVITIES & MEMBRANES (7 Cards)
CARD 9: Front: Name the two main body cavities and their subdivisions. Back: Dorsal cavity
(cranial cavity + vertebral/spinal cavity) and ventral cavity (thoracic cavity + abdominopelvic
cavity). The ventral cavity is further divided by the diaphragm: thoracic above, abdominopelvic
, 3
below. The abdominopelvic cavity has no physical separation between abdominal and pelvic
regions. Memory Trick: "DORSal = brain and spine (posterior/protected); VENTral = everything
else (anterior/larger)."
CARD 10: Front: What are the two layers of serous membranes? Where is each layer located?
Back: Parietal layer = lines the cavity wall (like wallpaper). Visceral layer = covers the organ
surface (like wrapping paper). Between them is serous fluid that reduces friction. Example:
parietal pleura lines the thoracic wall; visceral pleura covers the lungs. Memory Trick: "PARIETal
= PARIETal wall of a room; VISCEral = VISCEra = organs inside."
CARD 11: Front: Name the three serous membranes and the cavities they line. What organs do
they cover? Back: 1) Pleura = lines pleural cavity, covers lungs. 2) Pericardium = lines pericardial
cavity, covers heart. 3) Peritoneum = lines peritoneal cavity, covers abdominal organs. All are
serous membranes producing lubricating fluid. Memory Trick: "PLEURA = LUNGs (both have 'U');
PERICARDIUM = CARDIAC/heart; PERITONEUM = TUMMY/tone-abdomen."
CARD 12: Front: What is the mediastinum? Is it a body cavity? Back: The mediastinum is the
central compartment of the thoracic cavity between the lungs. It is NOT a serous membrane-
lined cavity — it's a subdivision containing the heart, thymus, trachea, esophagus, and major
vessels. It is bounded by the pleural cavities laterally. Memory Trick: "MEDIastinum = MIDDLE of
the chest; think 'median' or 'middle ground.'"
CARD 13: Front: What is the difference between the peritoneal cavity and the retroperitoneal
space? Name two retroperitoneal organs. Back: The peritoneal cavity is the potential space
between parietal and visceral peritoneum. Retroperitoneal organs lie BEHIND the parietal
peritoneum (against the posterior abdominal wall) and are NOT suspended by mesentery.
Examples: kidneys, pancreas, duodenum (parts), ascending and descending colon. Memory
Trick: "RETRO = RETRO/behind; RETROperitoneal = RETROgrade = going backward behind the
peritoneum."
CARD 14: Front: What is the difference between the visceral pericardium and the epicardium?
Back: They are the SAME structure. The visceral pericardium is the serous membrane layer that
covers the heart; when considered as part of the heart wall, it is called the epicardium. The
