Human Evolution Body Terms

Directional terms, skeletal and dental anatomy, plus cranial sutures

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body

Lateral

Farther from the midline of the body

Anterior

Toward the front

Posterior

Toward the back

Superior

Above (closer to the top of the head)

Inferior

Below (closer to the bottom of the feet)

Superficial

Closer to the body’s surface

Deep

Further from the body’s surface, internal

Proximal

Closer to the attachment of the limb to the trunk of the body (closer to the hip or shoulder)

Distal

Farther from the attachment of the limb to the trunk of the body (away from hip or shoulder)

Dorsal

The posterior or back of the hand or the top of the foot

Palmar

The anterior (palm) of the hand

Plantar

The sole of the foot

Sagittal suture

Seperates the two parietal bones, along the midsagittal plane

Coronal Suture

Seperates the frontal from the two parietal bones

Lambdoidal Suture

Seperates the parietal bones from the occipital bone

Squamosal

Seperated the parietal from the temporal bone

Metopic Suture

Seperates the two halves of the frontal bone early in life in humans, retained throughout life

Frontal Bone

Forehead bone, occupied largly by the orbits

Parietal

Walls of the skull

Temporals

On the sides of the head, houses ear holes

Occipital

Midline bone at the back of the skull, houses large hole at base for passage of the spinal cord

Maxilla

Comprise much of the face between orbits and mouth, and most of the roof of the mouth

Zygomatics

Cheekbones

Mandible

Lower jaw

Clavicle

Collarbone

Scapula

Shoulder Blade

Humerus

Singular bone in the upper arm

Radius

Forearm bone, lateral to the ulna in anatomical position

Ulna

Forearm bone

Femur

Large bone connected to the hip

Patella

Kneecap

Tibia

Shin bone

Fibula

Skinny leg bone on the lateral side of the lower leg

Cervical Vertebrae

Found in the neck, 7

Thoratic Vertebrae

Articulate with ribs, 12

Lumbar Vertebrae

Bear most of the weight, largest, 5

Sacrum

Five fused vertebrae, part of the pelvic girdle

Coccyx

Four fused vertebrae, tailbone

Sternum

Breastbone

Pelvic Girdle

All the bones in your pelvis

Carpal Bones

Wrist bones, 8

Metacarpals

Between the phalanges and the Carpals

Phalanges

Finger and thumb bones

Incisors

Front teeth, 4 on top 4 on bottom

Canines

Pointed teeth, two on top and two on bottom

Premolar

Between the canine and molars, 4 on top and 4 on bottom

Molar

Large teeth at the back of the mouth, 6 on top and 6 on bottom

Buccal

Surface towards the cheeck

Labial

Surface towards the lips

Mesial

Foward side closest to the middle of the mouth

Distal (teeth)

The backside of a tooth

Lingual

Surface toward the tongue

Nasals

Lie superior to nasal opening between orbits

Diaphysis

The shaft/main portion of the bone

Epiphysis

Portions at the extremities, or end of the bone

Tarsals

Feet bones

Foramen magnum

Hole at base of the skull