Anatomical Terms

Quiz at the end of the powerpoint

For those who have not taken it yet

The Anatomical Position

• The standard reference position:

1.3

Anatomical Position• This is a reference position that allows for

the use of consistent directional terminology.

• All descriptions of location are made from within anatomical position.

Subject is facing forward with palms forward, thumbs facing to the sides.

Anatomical Terminology

Superior

Inferior

Superior

Inferior

TRANSVERSE PLANE

TRANSVERSE PLANE

Body Midline

Medial

Lateral

EYES

EARS

Sagittal

Plane

The Extremities have a different set of terms

The upper arm is

PROXIMAL

The arm is

DISTALTO THE TRUNK or MIDLINE OF THE BODY

The eyes are SUPERIOR to the mouth.

The mouth is INFERIOR to the eyes.

The umbilicus is ANTERIOR to the gluteus maximus.

IN FRONT OF

The gluteus maximus is POSTERIOR to the umbilicus.

IN BACK OF

BACK FRONT

Also called VENTRAL

Also called DORSAL

CORONAL

P

L

A

N

E

Directional Terms• Superior and inferior – toward and

away from the head, respectively• Anterior and posterior – toward the

front and back of the body• Medial, lateral, toward the midline,

away from the midline, • Proximal and distal – closer to and

farther from the origin of the body

• Superficial and deep – toward and away from the body surface

Regional Terms

•Axial – head, neck, and trunk

•Appendicular – appendages or limbs

•Specific regional terminology

Regional Terms

Body Planes

•Sagittal and medial – divides the body into right and left parts

•Midsagittal – sagittal plane that lies on the midline

•Frontal or coronal – divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

•Transverse or horizontal (cross section) – divides the body into superior and inferior parts

Body Planes

Body LandmarksBody Landmarks

Slide 1.24

• Anterior

Body LandmarksBody Landmarks

Slide 1.25Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings

• Posterior

Figure 1.5b

Body PlanesBody Planes

Slide 1.26Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings

Figure 1.6