Human Anatomy: Anatomical Terminology and Body Orientation

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on human anatomy, focusing on anatomical terminology and body orientation.

Anatomy

The science of structure; derived from the Latin 'anatomia', meaning to dissect or cut apart.

Anatomical Position

Body standing erect, eyes directed forward, arms at sides with palms facing forward and feet together.

Supine

Position lying face up.

Prone

Position lying face down.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Superior (Cephalic)

Toward the head.

Inferior (Caudal)

Toward the feet (or tail).

Medial

Toward the mid-sagittal plane.

Lateral

Away from the mid-sagittal plane.

Proximal

Toward or nearest to the center of the body or region of a structure.

Distal

Away or farthest from the center of the body or origin of a structure.

Superficial

Toward the surface of the body.

Deep

Toward the center of the body.

Ipsilateral

On the same side.

Contralateral

On the opposite side.

Somatic

Refers to the body wall.

Visceral

Refers to structures in body cavities.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into right and left portions.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Encloses organs of the nervous system; contains cranial and vertebral cavities.

Ventral Body Cavity

Houses the viscera; contains thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Serous Membranes

Line the walls of body cavities (parietal) and the surface of internal organs (visceral).