Download Anatomical Position and Terms

Anatomical Position and
Terms
Human Bio 11
Anatomical Position
Anatomical Position
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Used to help describe the location of one
body part with respect to another.
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Standing erect
Facing forward
Legs slightly apart
Palms forward
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Terms
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Superior – above, upper
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Inferior – below, lower
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Example:
The head is superior to the waist.
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Terms
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Anterior (Ventral) – towards the front
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Posterior (Dorsal) – towards the back
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Example:
Your nose is on the anterior surface of the
head.
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Terms
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Medial – closer to the imaginary midline
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Lateral – further from the midline
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Think medial is middle
Think towards the outside
Example:
The ears are lateral to the eyes.
Terms
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Referring just to arms and legs:
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Proximal – near the joint (point of attachment)
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Distal – further from the joint (point of attachment)
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Think distal is more distance
Example:
The thigh is more proximal to the knee, than the
foot.
Terms
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Referring just to hands:
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Pronation – the palms facing down or back
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Supination – the palms facing up or front
Superior
Posterior
Anterior
Lateral
Medial
Proximal
Distal
Inferior
Work to Complete

Anatomical Terminology: Wisc Online

Anatomical Terms Worksheet