Gross Anatomy: Lecture 1

Anatomical position description

Standing upright, feet slightly apart, arms at sides, palms forward, head and eyes facing forward.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Medial plane

central sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves

Sagittal plane

vertical division of the body into right and left portions (not necessarily equal unless midsagittal)

Transverse plane

horizontal division of the body into top and bottom sections (superior/inferior)

Superior

Higher on the body, nearer to the head

Inferior

Lower on the body, farther from the head

Anterior (ventral)

front of the body

Posterior (dorsal)

back of the body

Medial

nearer to median plane

Lateral

farther from median plane (side)

Proximal

nearer to trunk and/or point of origin

Distal

furthest from trunk and/or point of origin

Superficial

nearer to surface

Intermediate

Between a superficial and deep structure. - ex. biceps muscle is intermediate between the skin and humerus

Deep

farther from the surface. - ex. the humerus is deep to the arm muscles

Palmar

anterior hand (palm)

Plantar

interior of foot (sole)

Flexion

decreasing the angle between body parts, causing a joint to bend

Extension

increasing the angle between body parts, causing a joint to straighten or return to anatomical position

Abduction

moving away from the median plane of the body

Adduction

moving toward the median plane of the body

Circumduction

circular movement of (typically a limb)

Protraction

moving of body part anteriorly ex. Moving the shoulder anteriorly

Retraction

moving of body part posteriorly ex. Moving the shoulder posteriorly

Elevation

moving a body part straight up ex. Moving the shoulders toward the head (shoulder shrug)

Depression

moving a body part down ex. Moving the shoulders down from head/back to normal position

Eversion

turning body part away from midline ex. turns the sole of the foot outward away from the midline

Inversion

turning body part toward midline ex. turns the sole of the foot inward toward the midline

Retrusion

moving a part of the body posteriorly (as in retracting the mandible)

Protrusion

Moving a part of the body anteriorly (as in sticking the mandible out)

Supination

movement that turns the palm up

Pronation

turning the palm downward

The three general types of joints

fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial

Fibrous joint

suture, dental alveolar, syndesmosis

Cartilaginous joint

epiphysial line, IVD (intervertebral disc), - pain fibers

Synovial joint

Joint capsule, synovial fluid, articular cartilage; DJD (degenerative joint disease), RA (rheumatoid arthritis), Gout

Hilton law

nerves supplying the joint also supply the muscles moving the joint and the overlying skin

3 Muscle types

Skeletal, cardiac, smooth

Skeletal muscle

striated, muscle fiber, nucleus, satellite cell

Cardiac muscle

Striated, intercalated discs, nucleus, muscle fibers

Smooth muscle

smooth muscle fiber, nucleus, non striated or striped ex. vessel walls and hollow organs

Lymphatic system diagram

interstitial fluid balance, filter system, digestive function (bile), immune function

Neuron

structural and functional units of the nervous system specialized for rapid communication

Neurogial cells

5 times more as abundant as neurons and are non-neuronal, non-excitable cells that form a major component (scaffolding) of the nervous system. Neuroglia support, insulate, and nourish neurons.

Central nervous system vs. Peripheral nervous system

- The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. Main roles are to integrate and coordinate incoming and outgoing neural signals to carry out higher mental functions. ex. thinking and learning

- The PNS consists of nerve fibers and nerve cell bodies outside of the CNS that connect the CNS with peripheral structures

Epidermis

outermost layer of skin, stratified squamous epithelium, sheds (keratinized), avascular, afferent sensory receptors: pain, temperature, touch

Dermis

Connective tissue, 2 layers: Papillary layer- locks onto epidermis ridges, Reticular layer- thicker, ID testing such as: PPD, allergy skin testing

Subcutaneous layer (hypodermis/superficial fascia)

Loose connective tissue (superficial) and adipose tissue storage. Vessels, lymphatics, cutaneous nerves. Layer infiltrated for local anesthesia during minor procedures, ex. suturing or C-section