2.2 A Ball of A Time!

Anatomists have agreed on a standardised position for the human body in all cases. It is known as the anatomical position.

All the terms of direction that are important for describing the location of the muscles and bones are with respect to this position.

Anterior  On the front of the body or limb  Eg the chest is on the anterior aspect of the body Posterior  On the back of the body or limb  Eg the calf muscles are on the posterior aspect of the lower leg

Inferior  Below or beneath  E.g The jaw is inferior to the maxilla Superior  On top or above  E.g the shoulders are superior to the lower back.

Medial  Nearer the midline of the body  Eg The little fingers are on the medial aspect of the hand Lateral  Further from the midline of the body  Eg The ears are a lateral feature of the head

Proximal  Nearer the body (usually refers to positioning a limb)  Eg The elbow is proximal to the wrist Distal  Further from the body (usually refers to positioning on a limb)  Eg The phalanges are distal to the radius

Prone  Face down  Eg Press up position Supine  Face up  Eg Sit up position

Superficial  Nearer the surface of the body  Eg Pectoralis major is a superficial muscle of the chest Deep  Further from the surface of the body  Eg Ilio psoas is a deep muscle of the hip joint

1. I am a large superficial muscle located on the anterior and medial aspect of the trunk. 2. I am a joint of the arm, distal to the shoulder and proximal to the wrist. 3. I am a group of vertebrae located superior to the thoracic vertebrae 4. Create three questions of your own and test your neighbour!