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TERMINOLOGY
The Language of Anatomy
• Special terminology is used to prevent
misunderstanding
• The anatomical position refers to individual
standing, facing forward, palms forward.
• Exact terms are used for:
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Position
Direction
Regions
Structures
Orientation & Directional Terms
 Superior vs. Inferior
 Above (toward the head) vs. Below (toward the
lower body)
 Anterior vs. Posterior
 In front vs. behind
 Medial vs. Lateral
 Midline vs. toward the outer sides
 Intermediate
 Between 2 other structures
Orientation & Directional Terms
 Proximal vs. Distal
 Closer to a point of attachment compared to farther away from
a point of attachment
 Superficial vs. Deep
 At or near the surface vs. more internal
Anterior Body
Landmarks
Posterior Body
Landmarks
Body Planes
 Sagittal plane
 separates the left side from the right
 Frontal (or coronal) plane
 separates the front from the back
 Transverse plane
 separates the top from the bottom
Body Planes
Body
Cavities
 The ventral cavity
contains the thoracic &
abdominopelvic
cavities, and are
separated by the
diaphragm.
 Dorsal cavity contains
the cranial and spinal
cavities
Abdominopelvic
Quadrants
NINE
ABDOMINOPELVIC
REGIONS
Major Organs of
Ventral Body
Cavity