Foundations of Anatomy

human anatomy

Anatomical Position

Standing upright with head, eyes, and toes facing forward, arms at sides with palms anterior, feet parallel and facing forward

What is the primary muscle for breathing and why?

The diaphragm. When this muscle contracts, it forces the thoracic cavity to expand leading to inhalation, and when it relaxes the thoracic cavity shrinks leading to exhaling.

Supine

Lying on the back

Prone

Lying on the abdomen

Anterior

Towards the front of the body

Posterior

Towards the back of the body

Superior (Cranial)

Towards the top of the body

Inferior (Caudal)

Towards the bottom of the body

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Proximal

Closer to the trunk or point of origin

Distal

Farther from the trunk or point of origin

Superficial

Toward the surface of the body

Intermediate

Between superficial and deep

Deep

Away from the body surface, internal

Rostral

Toward the front of the head or nose

Caudal (head context)

Toward the back of the head

Dorsal (foot)

Toward the top (superior) side of the foot

Plantar

Toward the sole (inferior) side of the foot

Palmar

Toward the palm (anterior) side of the hand

Dorsal (hand)

Toward the back (posterior) side of the hand

Bilateral

On both sides or paired structures

Unilateral

On one side only

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into right and left halves

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

Divides the body into equal right and left halves

Parasagittal Plane

Divides the body into unequal right and left parts

Transverse (Horizontal, Axial, Cross-sectional) Plane

Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts

Flexion

Decreasing the angle between two body parts

Extension

Increasing the angle between two body parts

Lateral Flexion

Bending the trunk or neck sideways

Abduction

Movement away from the midline

Adduction

Movement toward the midline

Circumduction

Circular movement combining flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces downward/posterior

Supination

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces upward/anterior

Internal (Medial) Rotation

Rotation toward the midline of the body

External (Lateral) Rotation

Rotation away from the midline of the body

Inversion

Turning the sole of the foot inward

Eversion

Turning the sole of the foot outward

Dorsiflexion

Bending the foot upward at the ankle

Plantarflexion

Bending the foot downward at the ankle

Protraction

Moving a body part forward

Retraction

Moving a body part backward

Elevation

Moving a body part upward

Depression

Moving a body part downward

Opposition

Movement of thumb or little finger toward the palm

Reposition

Returning thumb or little finger from opposition back to anatomical position

Regional Anatomy

Divisions of the body into specific areas (head, neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, limbs)

Systemic Anatomy

Study of body by systems (skeletal, muscular, nervous, etc.)

Integumentary System

Protects body, produces vitamin D, houses sensory receptors and glands

Skeletal System

Supports body, protects organs, stores minerals, produces blood cells

Muscular System

Enables movement, maintains posture, generates heat

Nervous System

Controls body responses by processing and transmitting signals

Cardiovascular System

Transports oxygen, nutrients, and wastes through bloodstream

Lymphatic System

Returns fluid to blood and defends body against infection

Respiratory System

Supplies oxygen and removes carbon dioxide

Endocrine System

Regulates growth, metabolism, and reproduction via hormones

produces and delivers sperm ; Reproductive System

Produces eggs and supports fetal development

Digestive System

Breaks down food for nutrient absorption and removes solid waste

Urinary System

Filters blood, removes liquid waste, maintains fluid balance

Cranial Cavity

Contains the brain

Vertebral Cavity

Contains the spinal cord

Thoracic Cavity

Contains the heart and lungs

Pericardial Cavity

Contains the heart

Pleural Cavities

Contains the lungs

Superior Mediastinum

Region above the heart and between the lungs

Abdominal Cavity

Contains digestive organs such as stomach, intestines, liver

Pelvic Cavity

Contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, rectum

Dorsal Body Cavity

Back side cavities including cranial and vertebral

Ventral Body Cavity

Front side cavities including thoracic and abdominopelvic

Diaphragm

Thoracic cavity separated from abdominopelvic cavity by this muscle

Skeletal System Function

Provides shape and support for the body

Skeletal System Function

Protects vital organs such as brain and heart

Skeletal System Function

Facilitates and produces movement

Skeletal System Function

Stores and releases minerals and fat

Skeletal System Function

Produces new blood cells in bone marrow

Long Bone

Long bone example = femur

Short Bone

Short bone example = carpal bones

Flat Bone

Flat bone example = sternum

Irregular Bone

Irregular bone example = vertebrae

Sesamoid Bone

Sesamoid bone example = patella

Line

Narrow ridge or slight elevation

Trochanter

Large elevation, e.g. greater trochanter

Crest

Ridge, e.g. iliac crest

Epicondyle

Elevation above or near a condyle, e.g. lateral epicondyle

Tuberosity

Large round elevation, e.g. tibial tuberosity

Spine

Sharp, pointed projection, e.g. anterior superior iliac spine

Malleolus

Rounded projection, e.g. medial malleolus

Process

Prominent projection, e.g. coracoid process

Tubercle

Small round elevation, e.g. dorsal tubercle of radius

Protuberance

Bulge or projection, e.g. mental protuberance

Fossa

Hollow or depressed area, e.g. radial fossa

Notch

Indentation on edge of bone, e.g. suprascapular notch

Groove

Elongated depressed area, e.g. bicipital groove

Foramen

Round or oval opening, e.g. obturator foramen

Fissure

Narrow slit-like opening, e.g. superior orbital fissure

Head

Large, round end of a bone, e.g. head of femur