Antomy and Physiology queshtion that says Proximal and Superior are wrong.

Question

In comparison to the crus, the patella is what to the tarsus?

Answer 1

Hi Cody P.,

The crus is proximal to the tarsus, since the crus is the entire lower leg, and the tarsus is the distal extremity of that. So the patella, being the other (distal) extremity of the crus, will be separated from the tarsus by the calf, among other structures! So you could call it distal to the tarsus.

The point of the question is to get you into the habit of generalizing anatomical positioning terms; obviously you know proximal and distal with respect to the axial skeleton, but other frames of reference may apply, too.

-- Cheers, -- Mr. d.