Think Ahead
Roman Numerals in Anatomy
To prepare for the next week of class, you should fully understand and be able to answer the
following questions. You can check your answers with the answer key posted on my O drive to
be sure you are correct. You can get help with this work from:
•
•
your instructor during office hours
the Algebra Alcove in Jones 147
1. Anatomy texts sometimes still use Roman numerals (I, II, II, IV etc.) instead of the much
more familiar Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). In the table below fill in the corresponding
Arabic numeral:
Roman numeral I
V
X
L
C
M
Arabic numeral
2. Remember that when using Roman numerals, when a numeral with a lesser value comes
before a numeral with a higher value, as in IV, the first value is subtracted from the second
value. So in IV, the I means _____, the V means _____, so the value of IV is _____ .
3. Remember that when using Roman numerals, when a numeral of a higher value comes before
a numeral of a lesser value, as in VI, the first value is added to the second value. So in VI, the V
means _____ , the I means _____ , so the value of VI is _____ .
4. Convert each of the following to
familiar Arabic numerals:
5. Convert each of the following to familiar
Arabic numerals:
a. IV
a. VI
b. VL
b. XV
c. IX
c. XVI
d. CM
d. MC
6. In anatomy, Roman numerals are still commonly used for the cranial nerves and for the digits
(fingers and toes) on each hand and each foot. Complete the table with the correct Roman
numerals for the 12 cranial nerves and the fingers on one hand:
Digit
Name of cranial nerve
familiar
Roman
number
numeral
I
thumb
Olfactory n.
1
index
Optic n.
2
Oculomotor n.
3
Trochlear n.
4
Trigeminal n.
5
______
Abducens n.
6
______
Facial n.
7
______
Vestibulocochlear n.
8
______
Glossopharyngeal n.
9
______
Vagus n.
10
______
Accessory n.
11
______
Hypoglossal n.
12
finger
middle
finger
ring
finger
little
finger
VI
IX