Overview of Human Body Systems and Medical Terminology

Normal Anatomical Position

A position where an individual stands straight up with eyes straight forward and arms down by the side with the palms of the hands facing forward.

Planes of the Body

Imaginary slices through the body that divide it.

Directional Terms

Terms used to describe the positions of structures in relation to other structures in the body.

Regions of the Body

Specific areas of the body that are used to describe the location of organs and structures.

Positional Terms

Terms that describe the location of the body parts in relation to each other.

Transverse Plane

The transverse plane divides the body into top and bottom half.

Sagittal Plane

The sagittal plane divides the body into a right and left side.

Midsagittal Plane

The midsagittal plane is a midline that divides the body equally into a left and right side.

Medial

The term medial refers to the direction toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

The term lateral refers to the direction away from the midline of the body.

Bilateral

The term bilateral means pertaining to two sides.

Unilateral

The term unilateral means pertaining to one side.

Medial Aspect

Closer to the midline of the body (i.e the inside portion of the knee is considered the medial aspect)

Lateral Aspect

Further from the midline of the body (i.e the outside portion of the knee is considered lateral)

Frontal Plane

The coronal or frontal plane divides the body into front and back sections.

Anterior

The front of the body is referred to as anterior or ventral.

Posterior

The back of the body is referred to as posterior or dorsal.

Posteroanterior

Posteroanterior is often abbreviated PA and means x-rays travel from the back through to the front of the body.

Anteroposterior

Anteroposterior is often abbreviated AP and means x-rays travel from the front of the body through to the back.

Proximal

Proximal means toward the trunk of the body (or point of attachment).

Distal

Distal means away from the point of attachment.

Superior

Superior is used for something that is above something else.

Inferior

Inferior is used for something below something else.

Eyes Position

The eyes are superior to the nose.

Quadrants

Four areas used to refer to different areas of the abdomen and pelvic area, defined in relation to the umbilicus.

Umbilicus

The medical term for the belly button or navel.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

The quadrant located to the left of the umbilicus on the patient's left side.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

The quadrant located below the Left Upper Quadrant on the patient's left side.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

The quadrant located below the Right Upper Quadrant on the patient's right side.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

The quadrant located to the right of the umbilicus on the patient's right side.

Abdominal Regions

Areas used to describe the location in or on the abdomen, divided using a tic-tac-toe grid with the umbilicus in the center.

Umbilical Region

The center square of the tic-tac-toe board representing the area around the umbilicus.

Left Lumbar Region

The region to the left of the umbilical region on the patient's left side.

Right Lumbar Region

The region to the right of the umbilical region on the patient's right side.

Epigastric Region

The region directly above the umbilical region, pertaining to above the stomach.

Hypogastric Region

The region directly below the umbilical region, pertaining to below the stomach.

Hypochondriac Regions

The top corners of the tic-tac-toe board, pertaining to below the cartilage of the ribs.

Inguinal Regions

The lower corners of the tic-tac-toe board, pertaining to the groin.

Thoracic Region

The area pertaining to the chest, divided from the abdominal region by the diaphragm.

Axillary Area

Refers to the armpit.

Gluteal Region

Refers to the buttock.

Diaphragm

A wall of muscle that divides the thoracic region from the abdominal regions.

Hypo-

A prefix meaning below.

Epi-

A prefix meaning above or upon.

Gastr/o

A combining form meaning stomach.

Chondr/o

A combining form meaning cartilage.

Inguin/o

A combining form meaning groin.

-ic

A suffix meaning pertaining to.

Supine position

A person lying flat on his/her back, face up.

Prone position

A person lying on his/her abdomen, face down.

Lateral recumbent position

A person on his/her side.

Fowler's position

A person in the sitting position.

Trendelenburg position

A person lying on his/her back with the feet elevated, allowing blood to flow to the head, often used to treat shock.

Lithotomy position

A patient with his/her upper torso placed in the supine position; legs are raised, bent, and secured; and arms extended, used for gynecological, anal, and urological procedures.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin, waterproof and contains the protective pigment of the skin called melanin.

Dermis

The next layer of the skin beneath the epidermis.

Cutane/o

Combining form meaning skin.

Derm/o

Combining form meaning skin.

Dermat/o

Combining form meaning skin.

Onych/o

Combining form meaning nail.

Trich/o

Combining form meaning hair.

Functions of the skin

The skin protects from germs, regulates body temperature, and helps remove waste material.

Sweat glands

Glands deep in the skin that act as a cooling system by evaporating sweat.

Melanin

The protective pigment of the skin found in the epidermis.

-al

Pertaining to.

Later/o

Combining form meaning side.

Anter/o

Combining form meaning front.

Poster/o

Combining form meaning back.

Axill/o

Combining form meaning armpit.

-iac

Pertaining to.

Thorac/o

Combining form meaning chest.

Bi-

Prefix meaning two.

Uni-

Prefix meaning one.

-ior

Pertaining to.

subcutaneous

Pertaining to under the skin or dermis; a layer of connective tissue containing fat that insulates the body.

hidr/o

sweat

seb/o

sebum or oil

skeletal system

Comprised of bones, joints, and cartilage, providing framework, support, protection, and enabling movement.

oste/o

bone

arthr/o

joints

cranium

The bone of the head, with combining forms cran/o and crani/o.

cranial

Pertaining to the cranium, formed by adding the suffix -al to crani/o.

lacrimal bones

The small bones in the eye socket.

bone marrow

The tissue within bones that produces blood cells.

calcium

A mineral stored in bones that is used for various body functions.

phosphate

A mineral stored in bones that is used for various body functions.

elasticity

The ability of the skin to return to its original shape after being pinched, due to the presence of elastin.

subcutaneous layer

A layer of connective tissue beneath the skin that contains fat.

fun fact about bones

Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood the number is reduced to 206.

flexible connective tissue

Cartilage, found between some bones and in areas like the nose, ribs, and ears.

lacrimal

pertaining to tears

maxilla

upper jaw bone

mandible

lower jaw

zygomatic

pertaining to the cheekbone

nasal

pertaining to the nose

cran/o

cranium

crani/o

cranium

lacrim/o

tears

mandibul/o

mandible (lower jaw)

maxill/o

maxilla (upper jaw)