Surface Anatomy, Anatomical Terms, and Head & Neck Anatomy

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational anatomical terminology, directional planes, and surface anatomy of the head and neck.

Anatomic nomenclature

System of names for anatomic structures.

Anatomic position

Erect position, arms at sides, palms and toes directed forward, with eyes looking forward.

Anterior

Front of area.

Posterior

Back of area.

Median plane

Plane related to imaginary line dividing body into right and left halves.

Frontal plane

Plane related to imaginary line dividing body at any level into anterior and posterior parts.

Horizontal plane

Plane related to imaginary line dividing body at any level into superior and inferior parts.

Ipsilateral

Structure on same side.

Contralateral

Structure on opposite side.

Superficial

Structure located toward surface.

Deep

Structure located inwards and away from surface.

Proximal

Area closer to median plane.

Distal

Area farther away from median plane.

Surface anatomy

Study of structural relationships of external features to internal organs and parts.

Glabella

Smooth elevated area between the eyebrows.

Auricle

Oval flap of the external ear that collects sound waves.

Tragus

Smaller flap of tissue of the auricle anterior to the external acoustic meatus.

Conjunctiva

Delicate and thin membrane lining the inside of the eyelids and the front of the eyeball.

Nasion

Midpoint cephalometric landmark of the nasal region that corresponds with the junction between the underlying bones.

Zygomatic arch

Bony structure overlying the cheekbone extending from just inferior to the lateral margin of the eye toward the middle part of the ear.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Location inferior to the zygomatic arch and anterior to the external ear where the upper skull forms a joint with the lower jaw.

Vermillion zone

Reddish or pink transitional area of the lips located between the normal facial skin and the inner moist lining of the mouth.

Philtrum

Vertical groove of skin that is superior to the midline of the upper lip and inferior to the nasal septum.

Labial commissure

Location where the upper and lower lips meet at each corner of the mouth.

Parotid papilla

Small elevation of tissue that protects ductal opening of parotid salivary gland, located on inner part of buccal mucosa opposite maxillary second molar.

Maxillary tuberosity

Tissue-covered elevation on the posterior aspects of the maxilla just posterior to the most distal maxillary molar.

Retromolar pad

Dense pad of tissue on mandible just posterior to most distal mandibular molar.

Vestibular fornix

Area where the pink and thick labial or buccal mucosa meets the redder and thinner alveolar mucosa at the mucobuccal fold.

Mucogingival junction

Scallop-shaped line of demarcation between the firmer and pinker attached gingiva and the movable and redder alveolar mucosa.

Incisive papilla

Small bulge of tissue at the most anterior part of hard palate, lingual to anterior teeth.

Sulcus terminalis

V-shaped groove that separates the base from the body of the tongue.

Sublingual caruncle

Small papilla located at the anterior end of each sublingual fold containing duct openings from both submandibular and sublingual salivary glands.

Epiglottis

Flap of cartilage behind base of tongue and in front of oropharynx that closes to cover larynx when swallowing.

Sternocleidomastoid muscle

Muscle that divides each side of neck diagonally into anterior cervical triangle and posterior cervical triangle.