Language of Anatomy

Language Special terminology is used to prevent misunderstanding Exact terms are used for – Position – Direction – Regions – Structures

Body Sections Median(sagittal) - dividing body into equal right and left parts – Midsagittal – left and right are equal size Frontal (coronal)- divides body into ventral and dorsal Transverse – divides body into superior and inferior

Superior(cranial) Toward head end The forehead is superior to the mouth

Inferior(caudal) Away from the head The naval is inferior to the breastbone

Ventral(Anterior) Toward the front of the body The breastbone is ventral to the spine

Dorsal(posterior) Toward or at the back of the body (behind) The heart is dorsal to the breastbone

Medial Toward or at the midline of the body The heart is medial to the arm

Lateral Away from the midline of the body The arms are lateral to the heart

Proximal Close to the point of attachment of a limb to the body The elbow is proximal to the wrist

Distal Farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the body The wrist is distal to the elbow

Superficial Toward or at the bodies surface The skin is superficial to the skeleton A superficial wound is at the surface

Deep Away from the bodies surface The skeleton is deep to the skin

Body Cavities Dorsal body cavity – Cranial cavity -the brain – Spinal cavity - the spinal cord Ventral body cavity – Thoracic cavity - heart, lungs and others – Abdominal cavity - digestive system and most urinary system organs – Pelvic – reproductive organs – Abdominopelvic – all of abdominal and pelvic