Language of Anatomy

Why do we have an “Anatomical position”? Anatomical reference points Common to all health care professionals – Physiotherapy – Nurses – Physicians – Chiropractors – Acupuncturist – Massage therapists

Directional Terms Superior (cranial) Up towards the head As in “I think therefore I am superior” Above Head is superior to the abdomen Inferior (caudal)  Down towards the lower body  Worms are below my feet so they are inferior  Below  Umbilicus is inferior to the chin

Yes there are more Anterior/Ventral Towards the front of the body In front of something The sternum is anterior to the spine Posterior Towards the back of the body Behind something The heart is posterior to the sternum

More? Medial  Towards the middle or midline of the body  On the inner side of something related to the middle  Okay easy way to remember : closer to your heart  The heart is medial to the shoulder Lateral Away from the middle or midline Outside of the body Further away from the heart The arms are lateral to the chest

You are killing me Proximal (proximity)  Used when talking about the arms and legs  Closest part of the arm or leg to the attachment point on the body  The elbow is proximal to the wrist (it is closer to the attachment point of the arm to the body) Distal (distance)  Used when talking about the arms and legs  Farthest part away from the point of attachment to the body  The knee is distal to the hip

Honestly, there can not be much more, Please Superficial (on the surface or external) Towards the surface or at the surface of the body On or just below the skin The knife wound was a superficial cut Deep (just what it means) Away from the body surface Underneath A gunshot is a deep injury

So how much do you remember? Answer the following The heart is _____________ to the sternum The forehead is ____________ to the mouth The knee is ____________ to the ankle The little finger is ____________ to the ring finger The eyes are ___________ to the ears The spinal cavity is _____________ to the cranial cavity The umbilicus is _______________ compared to the intestines

Just a few more to make sure you have got it The fingers are ____________ to the elbow A gun shot is a ____________ wound The diaphragm is ____________ to the lungs The umbilicus is _______________to the clavicle (collar bone)

Body Cavities: we have two large ones that are subdivided Dorsal Cavity Ventral Cavity

Dorsal Cavity Dorsal cavity consists of the: CRANIAL: Brain VERTEBRAL: Spinal Cord

The Ventral Cavity is subdivided into 3 Thoracic containing? Lungs, heart, trachea, esophagus Abdominal containing? Stomach, liver, spleen, intestines, kidneys, pancreas, gallbladder Pelvic containing? Bladder, reproductive organs, rectum

Important muscle !!!!! The DIAPHRAGM So what exactly is a diaphragm and why is it so uncomfortable when you hit it? How exactly do you hit a diaphragm? Ever been winded?

Slicing up the body Sagittal – Cutting the body into a right and left side – Medial and lateral side – Mid-sagittal ? Frontal or Coronal – Cutting the body into front and back or – Anterior and posterior Transverse – Cutting the body into top and bottom – Superior and inferior