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Chapter 2: The Language of Anatomy
Anatomy Unit Objectives

Verbally describe or demonstrate the
anatomical position.

Use proper anatomical terminology to
describe body directions, surfaces and body
planes

Locate the major body cavities, and list the
chief organs in each cavity.
Superficial Anatomy
Involves locating structures on or near
the body surface
 Understanding anatomical landmarks,
anatomical regions, and terms for
anatomical directions will help you
remember both the location of a
structure and its name.
 For example; the brachium refers to the
the arm and the brachialis muscle and the
brachial artery are located in the arm.

Why have an anatomical position?
To prevent misunderstandings, anatomists use
universally accepted terms to identify body structures
precisely and with a minimum of words
* It is important to remember
that the terms “left” and “right”
refer to those sides of the person
being viewed – not those of the
observer.
Anatomical Position
1. Body erect
2. Feet slightly apart
3. Palms facing forward
4. Thumbs point away from body
5. Similar to “standing at
attention”
Supine – person laying down in
anatomical position face up
Prone – face down
Figure 1.7a
Table 1.1
Table 1.1
Check Point
Create 4 examples using the directional terms.
1. Share/Check with a partner.
2. Be prepared to discuss your examples.
Regional Terms: Anterior View

Axial: head,
neck, and trunk

Appendicular:
arms, legs, and
attachments
Figure 1.7a
Regional Terms: Posterior View
Figure 1.7b
Body Sections
Sagittal – divides the body into right and left parts
Midsagittal or median- sagittal plane
that lies on the midline
Body Sections
Frontal/Coronal Section – Lengthwise plane that divides the body
(or organ) into anterior and posterior
Body Sections
Transverse/Cross Section – Cut along a horizontal plane
dividing the body or organ into superior and inferior parts.
Body Planes
Figure 1.8
Anatomical Variability

Humans vary slightly in both external & internal anatomy.

Over 90% of all anatomical structures match textbook
descriptions, but:
- Nerves or blood vessels may be somewhat out of place
- Small muscles may be missing

Extreme anatomical variations are seldom seen . . .
But it does happen…
Body Cavities
Dorsal Body Cavity
1. Cranial Cavity – Brain
2. Vertebral Cavity – Spinal cord & nerve origins
Ventral Body Cavity
1. Thoracic Cavity – Chest cavity
A. Pleural Cavity – Lungs
B. Pericardial Cavity – Heart
C. Mediastinum
2. Abdominopelvic Cavity
A. Abdominal – stomach, spleen, gallbladder,
liver, pancreas, small & large intestines
B. Pelvic – bladder, portions of large intestines, sex
organs
Body Cavities
Body Cavities
The Dorsal cavity protects the
nervous system, and is divided
into two subdivisions:
◦ Cranial cavity is within
the skull and encases the
brain
◦ Vertebral cavity runs
within the vertebral
column and encases the
spinal cord
Body Cavities
Ventral cavity houses the internal organs and is divided into
two subdivisions:
1. Thoracic
2. Abdominopelvic
Body Cavities
The Thoracic cavity is subdivided into :
Pleural cavities – each houses a lung
Mediastinum – contains
the pericardial cavity, and
surrounds the remaining
thoracic organs
Pericardial cavity –
encloses the heart
Body Cavities
The abdominopelvic cavity is separated from the
superior thoracic cavity by the dome-shaped diaphragm
Two subdivisions:
◦ Abdominal cavity – contains the
stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, and
other organs
◦ Pelvic cavity – lies within the pelvis
and contains the bladder,
reproductive organs, and rectum
Ventral Body Cavity Membranes

Parietal serosa lines internal body walls

Visceral serosa covers the internal organs

Serous fluid separates the serosae
Ventral Body Cavity Membranes
Figure 1.10a
Other Body Cavities
1. Oral and digestive – mouth and cavities of the
digestive organs
2. Nasal - located within and posterior to the
nose
3. Orbital – house the eyes
4. Middle ear – contain bones (ossicles) that
transmit sound vibrations
5. Synovial – joint cavities
Other Body Cavities
Abdominopelvic Regions
Umbilical
 Epigastric
 Hypogastric
 Right and left iliac
or inguinal
 Right and left
lumbar
 Right and left
hypochondriac

Figure 1.11a
Abdominopelvic
Regions

Umbilical – Centermost
region deep to and
surrounding the umbilicus.

Epigastric- located superior
to the umbilical region

Hypogastric- located
inferior to the umbilical
region
Abdominopelvic
Regions

Right and left iliac (inguinal)located lateral to the hypogastric
region.

Right and left lumbar-lie lateral to
the umbilical region.

Right and left hypochondriac- lie
lateral to the epigastric region.
Organs of the Abdominopelvic Regions
Figure 1.11b
Abdominopelvic Quadrants
Right upper
 Left upper
 Right lower
 Left lower

Figure 1.12
At the clinic
1. This cavity contains the bladder and the rectum.
2. Which body cavity protects the nervous system?
3. The frontal section is also called what?
4. This region is inferior to the lumbar region.
5. This region is superior to the hypogastric region.