Chapter 1 The Anatomical Position & Medical Terminology

The Anatomical Position Subject is standing upright, facing the observer, with the upper limbs placed at the sides, palms turned forward, and the feet flat on the floor.

Anatomical Terms Anterior Surface Common NameAnatomical Name HeadCephalic SkullCranial FaceFacial NeckCervical ForeheadFrontal EyeOrbital EarOtic

Anatomical Terms Anterior Surface Common NameAnatomical Name CheekBuccal NoseNasal MouthOral ChinMental ArmpitAxillary ArmBrachial Front of ElbowAntecubital

Anatomical Terms Anterior Surface Common NameAnatomical Name ForearmAntebrachial WristCarpal PalmMetacarpal FingersDigital (Phalangeal) ChestThoracic BreastboneSternal BreastMammary

Anatomical Terms Anterior Surface Common NameAnatomical Name NavelUmbilical HipCoxal GroinInguinal HandManual PubisPubic ThighFemoral

Anatomical Terms Anterior Surface Common NameAnatomical Name Front of KneePatellar LegCrural FootPedal AnkleTarsal ToesDigital (Phalangeal)

Anatomical Terms Posterior Surface Common NameAnatomical Name Base of SkullOccipital ShoulderAcromial Shoulder BladeScapular Spinal ColumnVertebral BackDorsal Back of ElbowOlecranal

Anatomical Terms Posterior Surface Common NameAnatomical Name LoinLumbar Between HipsSacral ButtockGluteal Behind the KneePopliteal CalfSural Sole of FootPlantar Heel of FootCalcaneal

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Superior Toward the head or upper part of the body EXAMPLES 1.The heart is superior to the liver 2.The brain is superior to the spinal cord

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Inferior Away from the head or towards lower part of the body EXAMPLES 1.The small intestines is inferior to the liver 2.The stomach is inferior to the lungs

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Anterior Near to/at the front of the body EXAMPLES 1.The heart is anterior to the backbone 2.The sternum is anterior to the lungs

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Posterior Near to/at the back of the body EXAMPLES 1.The esophagus is posterior to the trachea 2.The kidneys are posterior to the liver

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Medial Near the midline of the body EXAMPLES 1.The ulna is on the medial side of the forearm 2.The nose is medial to the ears

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Lateral Far(ther) from the midline EXAMPLES 1.The radius is on the lateral side of the forearm 2.The humerus is lateral to the rib cage

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Intermediate In between two structures EXAMPLES 1.The ring finger is intermediate to the little and middle fingers 2.The heart is intermediate to the lungs

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Proximal Nearer to an attachment of a limb/point of origin EXAMPLES 1.The femur is proximal to the tibia 2.The humerus is proximal to the ulna

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Distal Farther from an attachment or point of origin EXAMPLES 1.The fibula is distal to the femur 2.The carpals are distal to the scapula

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Superficial Towards the surface EXAMPLES 1.The sternum is superficial to the heart 2.The epidermis is superficial to the dermis

Directional Terms TERM & DEFINITION Deep Away from the surface EXAMPLES 1.The kidneys are deep to the liver 2.The ribs are deep to the skin of the chest

Planes & Sections Sagittal Plane : Divides the body into Right (R) & Left (L) sides 1. Midsagittal – equal planes 2. Parasagittal – unequal planes Frontal (Coronal) Plane : Divides the body into anterior (front) & posterior (back) portions Transverse Plane : Divides the body into superior (upper) & inferior (lower) portions Oblique Plane : Passes through the body/organ at an angle

Planes & Sections

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