What does superior (cranial) mean?

• A. Toward the head end or upper part of a structure.
• B. Toward the lower part; away from head.
• C. Toward the midline.
• D. Toward the outer surface of the body.

Answer: (A)

Superior means toward the head or the upper part of a structure. It’s a vertical directional term used to say something is higher up than something else. In the human body, when we’re in the standard anatomical position, the head is at the top, so a part that is closer to the head is described as superior (cranial). For example, the nose is superior to the mouth, and the heart is superior to the diaphragm.

That’s why the option describing toward the head end or upper part fits best. The other directions describe different relationships: toward the lower part away from the head is inferior; toward the midline is medial; toward the outer surface is superficial.