Download Anatomical position

Language of Anatomy
The Language of Anatomy
Special terminology is used to prevent
misunderstanding
Exact terms are used for:
 Position
 Direction
 Regions
 Structures
Anatomical Position
 Anatomical position is a
standardized method of observing
or imaging the body that allows
precise and consistent anatomical
references.
 When in the anatomical position,
the subject stands:
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standing upright
facing the observer, head level
eyes facing forward
feet flat on the floor
arms at the sides
palms turned forward (ventral)
Orientation and Directional
Terms
 Superior- Towards the
head end or upper part of
the body. ABOVE
 Inferior- Away from the
head end or toward the
lower part of the
structure. BELOW
 Anterior- Toward or at the
front of the body. IN
FRONT OF
 Posterior- Toward the or
at he backside of the
body. BEHIND
Table 1.1
Orientation and Directional
Terms
 Medial- Toward or at the
midline of the body. ON
THE INNER SIDE OF
 Lateral- Away from the
midline of the body. ON
THE OUTTER SIDE OF
 Intermediate-Between a
more medial and more
lateral structure
 Proximal- Close to the
origin of the body part or
the point of attachment of
a limb to the body truck.
Orientation and Directional
Terms
 Distal- Farther from
the origin of the body
part or point of
attachment of a limb
to the body truck
 Superficial- Toward
or at the body
surface
 Deep- Away from the
body surface; more
internal
Body Landmarks
Anterior
Figure 1.5a
Body Landmarks
Posterior
Figure 1.5b
Body Planes
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• Sagittal plane – divides the
body into left and right
sections.
• Midsagittal (median) planedivides the body into equal
halves at midline.
• Frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into anterior
and posterior sections
• Transverse (horizontal)
plane – divides the body into
superior and inferior sections.
Figure 1.6
Body Cavities
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Body cavities – hollow
spaces within the human
body that contain internal
organs.
Dorsal Cavity: located
toward the back of the body
Divided into the Cranial
cavity and Vertebral or
Spinal cavity
Cranial holds the brain
Vertebral or Spinal holds
the spinal cord.
Figure 1.7
Body Cavities
 Ventral Cavity: located
toward the front of the
body is
 Divided into
abdominopelvic cavity
and thoracic cavity by
the diaphragm
 The abdominopelvic
cavity is subdivided into
Abdominal cavity
 holds liver, gallbladder,
stomach, pancreas,
spleen, kidney, small, and
large intestines
Body Cavities
 Pelvic cavity
holds the urinary
bladder and
reproductive organs
 Thoracic cavity is
subdivided into the
pleural cavity which
holds the lungs
 pericardial cavity
which holds the
heart.
Abdominopelvic Quadrants
 There are four abdominoplevic
quadrants.
Figure 1.8a
Abdominopelvic Regions
 The abdominal area is subdivided into
9 regions.
Figure 1.8b
Abdominopelvic Major Organs
Figure 1.8c