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Basic Terms
Anatomy
Studies shape and structure of the body
Gross anatomy: large structures studied
looking at their shape, external features,
and main divisions
Microscopic anatomy: use of microscopes
to study minute details
– Cytology: cells
– Histology: tissues and organs
Developmental anatomy: growth and
development
– Embryology: from fertilized egg to birth
Comparative anatomy: comparing human
anatomy to other organisms
Systemic anatomy: study of the anatomy
of a specific organ system
– Dermatology: integumentary system
– Endocrinology: endocrine system
– Neurology: nervous system
Physiology
Studies the function of each body part and
how the functions coordinate to form a
complete organism
Terminology
Anatomical
position:
standing erect,
with face
forward, arms at
the side and
palms forward
Planes
imaginary anatomical dividing lines
Sagittal plane:
divides the body
into right and left
parts
– Midsagittal
(median) plane:
divided the body
in to equal right
and left halves
Frontal (coronal)
plane: divides the
body into a front
(anterior) and
back (posterior)
section
Transverse
plane: horizontal
plane that
divides the body
into a top
(superior) and a
bottom (inferior)
section.
Directional/Positional Terms
Anterior & Posterior
– Anterior: towards
the front of the
body or structure
– Posterior:
towards the back
of the body or
structure
Cranial and
caudal
–Cranial:
towards the
head
–Caudal:
towards the
tail
Superior and
inferior
–Superior:
towards the
upper part or
“above
another”
–Inferior:
towards the
lower or “below
another
Medial and Lateral
–Medial: toward
the midline or
the median
plane
–Lateral: away
from the midline
or median plane
–Bilateral: having
or pertaining to
two sides
Proximal and distal
–Proximal: toward the point of
attachment of the body – closer to
the root of the structure
–Distal: away from the point of
attachment to the body – away
from the root of the structure
** These terms are only used when talking
about extremities (arms, legs, fingers and
toes)
Superficial and Deep
–Superficial: on or near the
surface of the body
–Deep: away from the surface
of the body
Terms of Basic Anatomy
Ligament: band of
tough connective
tissue that connects
bone to bone
Tendon: fibrous cord
of connective tissue
cotinuous with the
fibers of a muscle;
connects muscle to
bone
Joint: the junction or union
between two or more bones
Cartilage: the gristle or
white elastic substance
attached to articular bone
surfaces and forming parts
of the skeleton
Bone: the hard, tough,
elastic material that forms
the skeleton; composed
primarily of calcium salts
Muscle: type of tissue containing
fibers that contract; when working
together they can move a body part
or organ
Fascia: band of sheath of
connective tissue that encases
muscle or tendon
Bursa: a sack or sack-like cavity in
the vicinity of a joint which acts to
reduce the friction around a joint
Extremity: a limb or appendage
Terms of Movement
Range of Motion: the amount
of normal movement of a
particular joint
Abduction: to
move away
from the center
or midline
Adduction: to
move towards
the center or
midline
Flexion: to
decrease the
angle of a joint:
to bend a limb
Extension: to
increase the
angle of a joint:
to straighten a
limb
Rotation: to move
a limb around a
joint axis
Circumduction: to
move a joint in a
circle
Plantarflexion: to point the
toes/foot down – stand on your
tip toes
Dorsiflexion: to pull the toes/foot
up
Inversion: to rotate the foot so that
the sole of the foot is facing in
Eversion: to rotate the foot so that
the sole of the foot is facing out
Pronation: to rotate the
palms/forearm so that they are
facing posteriorly (when body is in
anatomical position)
Supination: to rotate the
palms/forearm so that they are
facing anteriorly (when the body
is in anatomical position
Valgus: force
directed
towards the
midline of the
body
Varus: force
directed away
from the
midline of the
body
Injury terms
Acute and Chronic
–Acute: having a sudden
onset and short duration
(sprained ankle)
–Chronic: having a gradual
onset and long duration (shin
splints)
–Sprain: injury to a ligament
–Strain: injury to a muscle or
tendon
Sign: objective evidence of
an abnormal situation in the
body
Symptom: subjective
evidence of an abnormal
situation in the body