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Basic Terminology
I. Introduction
1. Anatomy: Studies shape and structure of the body
a. Gross anatomy: large structures studied looking at their shape and external
features
b. Microscopic anatomy: use of microscopes to study fine details (histology:
tissues, cytology: cells)
2. Physiology: studies the function of each body part and how the functions coordinate
to form a complete organism
II. Terminology
1. anatomical position: position used when referencing all other movements and
directions: head forward, arms at side, palms forward
2. sagital: the plane that runs longitudinally and divides the body or organ into right and
left portions
3. midsagital (median): the plane that runs longitudinally and divides the body or organ
into EQUAL right and left portions
4. frontal (coronal): the plane that runs longitudinally and divides the body or organ
into anterior and posterior portions
5. transverse: the plane that runs horizontally across the long axis of the body or organ
and divides it into superior and inferior parts
III. Directional and Positional Terms
6. anterior: situated at or directed toward the front of the body
7. Posterior: situated at or directed toward the back of the body
8. Cranial: towards the head
9. Caudal: toward the tail
10. Superior: situated towards the head
11. Inferior: situated towards the feet
12. Medial: pertaining to or directed toward the midline (medial plane)
13. Lateral: pertaining to or directed away from the midline
14. proximal: used when describing a point on an appendage: nearest the point of
reference or to the point of attachment
15. distal: used when describing a point on an appendage: farthest from the point of
reference or to the point of attachment
16. Superficial: pertaining to the surface of the body
17. Deep: away from the surface of the body, more internal
IV. Terms of Basic Anatomy
18. ligament: a band of tough connective tissue connecting bone to bone
19. tendon: fibrous cord of connective tissue continuous with the fibers of a muscle;
connect muscle to bone
20. joint: the junction or union between two or more bones
21. cartilage: the gristle or white elastic substance attached to articular bone surfaces and
forming parts of the skeleton
22. bone: the hard, tough, elastic material that forms the skeleton; composed primarily of
calcium salts
23. muscle: type ot tissue containing fibers that contract; when working together they can
move a body part or organ
24. fascia: band or sheath of connective tissue the encases muscle and/or tendons
25. bursa: a sack or sack-like cavity in the vicinity of a join which acts to reduce friction
around a joint
26. extremity: a limb or appendage
V. Terms of Movement
27. range of motion (ROM): the amount of normal movement of a particular joint of the
body
28. abduction: to move away from the center or midline
29. adduction: to move towards the center or midline
30. flexion: to decrease the angle of a joint: to bend a limb
31.
32. extension: to increase the angle of a joint: to straighten a limb
33. rotation: to move a limb around a joint axis
34. circumduction: to move joint in a circle
35. plantarflexion: to point the toes/foot down (stand on tip-toes)
36. dorsiflexion: to pull the toes/foot up
37. inversion: to rotate foot so that sole of the foot is facing in
38. eversion: to rotate foot so that the sole of the foot is facing out
39. pronation: to rotate palms/forearm so that they are facing posteriorly (when in
anatomical position)
40. supination: to rotate palms/foream so that they are facing anteriorly (when in
anatomical position)
41. valgus: force directed towards the midline of the body
42. varus: force directed away from the midline of the body
VI. Injury Terms
1. acute: having sudden onset and short duration
2. chronic: having a gradual onset and long duration: showing little change or
extremely slow progression over a long period of time
3. Sprain: injury to a ligament
4. Strain: injury to a muscle or tendon
5. sign: objective evidence of an abnormal situation within the body
6. symptom: subjective evidence of an abnormal situation within the body