The Language of Anatomy
Anatomical Position body erect Left Right body erect arms at sides of body with palms forward thumbs pointed out/away from the body
Directional Terms
superior medial proximal superficial anterior posterior deep inferior lateral distal
Directional Terms superior - above inferior - below anterior - in front of posterior - behind medial - towards midline/ inner lateral - away from midline/ outer proximal - closer to point of attachment distal - farther from point of attachment superficial - toward surface deep – internal
Body Planes sagittal - longitudinally divides into left and right midsagittal - divides into left and right frontal - longitudinally divides into front and back transverse - horizontally divides body into superior and inferior (top and bottom) “cross sections”
Major Body Cavities
vertebral - spinal cord Major Body Cavities contain internal organs 1. Dorsal cranial - brain vertebral - spinal cord
Major Body Cavities thoracic - heart and lungs abdominopelvic 2. Ventral thoracic - heart and lungs abdominopelvic abdominal - stomach, intestines, spleen, liver pelvic - bladder and reproductive organs
9. 8.
Serous Membranes walls of ventral body cavity and surfaces of organs are covered in a double layer of serous membrane separated by a lubricating fluid which allows organs to move freely without causing friction layers parietal - lines cavity visceral – clings to organ parietal cavity with fluid visceral
ex: pericardium - surrounds heart parietal pericardium visceral pericardium
ex: pleural - surrounds lungs
ex: peritoneum
Mesentery connects parietal and visceral peritoneum anchor organs, provides a pathway for nerves and blood vessels