Which description defines the anatomical position?

• A. Standing erect and facing forward
• B. Arms crossed over the chest
• C. Lying supine with arms at the sides
• D. Knees bent and feet apart

Answer: (A)

The key idea is the standard reference posture used in anatomy to describe directions. In anatomical position, the body stands upright, facing forward, with the head level, feet together and parallel, and the arms at the sides with the palms facing forward and the thumbs pointing away from the body. This option captures the essential feature—standing erect and facing forward—so it correctly defines the position. If the person were lying down, or the arms were crossed, or the legs were bent and positioned apart, those details would not reflect the anatomical reference posture and would change how directions are described.