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

2. Directional Terms

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

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

5. Regional Terms
Anterior body landmarks
Figure 1.5a

6. Regional Terms
Posterior body landmarks
Figure 1.5b

7. Directional Terms
Table 1.1 (1 of 3)

8. Directional Terms
Table 1.1 (2 of 3)

9. Directional Terms
Table 1.1 (3 of 3)

10. 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

11. Body Planes and Sections
Figure 1.6

12. 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

13. Body Cavities
Figure 1.7

14. Abdominopelvic Quadrants
Figure 1.8a

15. Abdominopelvic Regions
Figure 1.8b

16. Abdominopelvic Major Organs
Figure 1.8c