Theme A: Surface anatomy of the brain
Of the following pairs of directional terms, which pair contains terms that define PERPENDICULAR (orthogonal) directions when applied to the identified region of the central nervous system?
in the brainstem, ventral & anterior
in the forebrain, ventral & inferior
in the brainstem, superior & anterior
in the brainstem, superior & rostral
in the forebrain, dorsal & superior
in the brainstem, superior & anterior
Directions that are perpendicular (orthogonal) to each other are those that intersect at a right angle of 90 degrees. In the brainstem, the pair "superior & anterior" represents orthogonal directions.
To determine which pair of directional terms defines perpendicular directions when applied to the identified region of the central nervous system, we need to understand the anatomical orientations.
In the brainstem, the ventral direction refers to the front or belly side, and the anterior direction refers to the front or forward side. These terms are not perpendicular to each other.
In the forebrain, the ventral direction still refers to the front or belly side, while the inferior direction refers to the lower or below side. Again, these terms are not perpendicular to each other.
In the brainstem, the superior direction indicates the upper or above side, while the anterior direction refers to the front or forward side. These terms are not perpendicular to each other.
In the brainstem, the superior direction suggests the upper or above side, while the rostral direction refers to the front or towards the nose side. These terms are not perpendicular to each other.
In the forebrain, the dorsal direction refers to the back or posterior side, and the superior direction indicates the upper or above side. These terms are perpendicular to each other.
Therefore, the pair of directional terms that defines perpendicular directions when applied to the identified region of the central nervous system is "in the forebrain, dorsal and superior."