Download Anatomy 1 * The Anatomical Position

2.2 A Ball of A Time!
Anatomists have
agreed on a
standardised
position for the
human body in
all cases. It is
known as the
anatomical
position.
All the terms of
direction that are
important for
describing the
location of the
muscles and
bones are with
respect to this
position.
Anterior
Posterior
 On the front of the body
 On the back of the body
 Eg the chest is on the
 Eg the calf muscles are
or limb
anterior aspect of the
body
or limb
on the posterior aspect
of the lower leg
Inferior
Superior
 Below or beneath
 On top or above
 E.g The jaw is inferior to
 E.g the shoulders are
the maxilla
superior to the lower
back.
Medial
Lateral
 Nearer the midline of the
 Further from the midline
 Eg The little fingers are
 Eg The ears are a lateral
body
on the medial aspect of
the hand
of the body
feature of the head
Proximal
Distal
 Nearer the body (usually
 Further from the body
 Eg The elbow is proximal
 Eg The phalanges are
refers to positioning a
limb)
to the wrist
(usually refers to
positioning on a limb)
distal to the radius
Prone
Supine
 Face down
 Face up
 Eg Press up position
 Eg Sit up position
Superficial
Deep
 Nearer the surface of the
 Further from the surface
 Eg Pectoralis major is a
 Eg Ilio psoas is a deep
body
superficial muscle of the
chest
of the body
muscle of the hip joint
1. I am a large superficial muscle located on the anterior and
medial aspect of the trunk.
2. I am a joint of the arm, distal to the shoulder and proximal to
the wrist.
3. I am a group of vertebrae located superior to the thoracic
vertebrae
4. Create three questions of your own and test your neighbour!