Question

In medical terminology, what is the difference between Superior & Inferior and Cranial & Caudal?

(a) No difference

(b) Superior & Inferior is for large structures while Cranial & Caudal is for those in and around the brain and tail

(c) Superior & inferior is used for humans while Cranial & Caudal is used for animals

(d) Superior & Inferior is used for animals while Cranial & Caudal is used for plants

This question was posed to me in an online quiz.

Origin of the question is Orthopaedics in division Orthopaedics of Clinical Science

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) Superior & inferior is used for humans while Cranial & Caudal is used for animals

For explanation: Cranial and Superior both mean towards the brain or towards the head. However, Caudal means towards the tail while Inferior both mean towards the legs. This distinction of terminology exists because animals have tails. While both the terminologies can be applied in case of humans (as they have a tail bone, i.e. caudal bone) but for animals, it is usually Cranial and Caudal only.