The Language of Anatomy Special terminology is used to prevent misunderstanding Exact terms are used for Anatomical Position Direction Planes Regions Structures

Directional Terms

Prefix (Combining Vowel) Root Word (Combining Vowel) Suffix Terms Prefix (Combining Vowel) Root Word (Combining Vowel) Suffix Ex. Abdominopelvic

Examples: -ic, -al, -us, -on mean “pertaining to” hypo- below epi- upon chon- cartilage ante- before peri- around

Regional Terms Anterior body landmarks Figure 1.5a

Regional Terms Posterior body landmarks Figure 1.5b

Directional Terms Table 1.1 (1 of 3)

Directional Terms Table 1.1 (2 of 3)

Directional Terms Table 1.1 (3 of 3)

Body Planes and Sections A sagittal section divides the body (or organ) into left and right parts A median, or midsagittal, section divides the body (or organ) into equal left and right parts A frontal section divides the body (or organ) into anterior and posterior parts A transverse, or cross, section divides the body (or organ) into superior and inferior parts

Body Planes and Sections Figure 1.6

Body Cavities Dorsal body cavity Ventral body cavity Cranial cavity houses the brain Spinal cavity houses the spinal cord Ventral body cavity Thoracic cavity houses heart, lungs and others Abdominopelvic cavity houses digestive system and most urinary system organs

Body Cavities Figure 1.7

Abdominopelvic Quadrants Figure 1.8a

Abdominopelvic Regions Figure 1.8b

Abdominopelvic Major Organs Figure 1.8c