ACE Group Fitness Instructor Practice Exam

What does the term 'dorsal' refer to?

1. The bottom of the foot

2. The top of the foot and hands

3. The back of the head

4. The stomach area

The correct answer is: The top of the foot and hands

The term 'dorsal' refers specifically to the top side of the body or to certain parts of the body that are oriented upwards in the anatomical position. In the context of the foot and hands, it denotes the top surface of these extremities. This is why the answer identifying it as the top of the foot and hands is correct. To understand this in anatomical terms, consider how various regions of the body are described. The 'dorsal' aspect of any limb, including arms and legs, is generally the side that faces away from the ground when the individual is in a typical standing position. This terminology is derived from Latin, where 'dorsalis' means 'of the back'. Other choices involve terms that refer to different parts of the body. For instance, the bottom of the foot is often referred to as the plantar surface, while the back of the head is related to the occipital region, and the stomach area corresponds to the abdominal region. Each of these terms serves to denote specific anatomical locations that differ from the dorsal aspect.