Anatomical Nomenclature

Flashcards covering the fundamentals of anatomical nomenclature, including divisions of anatomy, positions, planes, and terms of direction and movement.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the human body and the relationship of its constituent parts to each other.

Gross Anatomy

The study of gross structures of the body which can be examined with the naked eye, such as internal organs, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.

Microscopic anatomy

Study of anatomical structures with the aid of a microscope, including Cytology and Histology.

Regional Anatomy

The study of specific regions of the body such as the Lower limb, Upper limb, Thorax, Abdomen and pelvis, Head and neck, and Brain and spinal cord.

Systemic Anatomy

The study of body systems including Skeletal, Muscular, Articular, Nervous, Circulatory, Lymphatic, Digestive, Respiratory, Urinary, Reproductive, and Endocrine systems.

Clinical or applied Anatomy

Anatomical study that emphasizes clinical aspects of structures important in the practice of medicine, such as a shoulder joint dislocation.

Radiological Anatomy

The study of body structures using radiological techniques such as CT Scans, MRI, Ultrasonograms, and X-rays.

Surface Anatomy

The study of internal structures of the body in relation to the body surface, involving a mental image of structures lying beneath the skin.

Anatomical Position

A reference position where the person is standing erect, eyes looking straight to the front, upper limbs by the side with palms facing forwards, and lower limbs together with toes facing forwards.

Median or sagittal plane

An imaginary vertical plane passing through the center of the body and dividing it into left and right halves.

Coronal plane (frontal plane)

An imaginary vertical plane at right angles to the median plane.

Horizontal plane (transverse/axial plane)

An imaginary plane at right angles to both the median and coronal planes.

Median sagittal (mid-sagittal) plane

The specific sagittal plane that passes directly through the median plane of the body.

Para-sagittal planes

Any sagittal planes passing through the body parallel to but not including the median plane.

Superior (cranial/cephalic)

A directional term meaning nearer to the head.

Inferior (caudal)

A directional term meaning nearer to the soles of the feet.

Anterior (ventral)

Nearer to the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Nearer to the back of the body.

Palmar surface

The anterior surface of the hand.

Plantar surface

The inferior surface of the foot, also known as the sole.

Dorsum of hand and foot

The posterior surface of the hand and the superior surface of the foot respectively.

Medial

A directional term meaning nearer to the median plane.

Lateral

A directional term meaning away from the median plane.

Intermediate

Positioned between two structures, where one is medial and the other is lateral.

Supine position

The position of the body when lying on the back.

Prone position

The position of the body when lying face downwards.

Proximal

Nearer to the attached end or root of a limb, or nearer to the point of origin of a vessel or nerve.

Distal

Farther from the attached end or root of a limb, or farther from the point of origin of a vessel or nerve.

Superficial

A term of comparison meaning nearer to the surface.

Deep

A term of comparison meaning farther from the surface.

Internal

The interior of an organ or cavity.

External

The exterior of an organ or cavity.

Bilateral

Present on both sides of the body.

Unilateral

Present on only one side of the body.

Ipsilateral

Located on the same side of the body (e.g., the right arm and right leg).

Contralateral

Located on the opposite side of the body (e.g., the left arm and right leg).

Joint

The site where two or more bones meet and where movements take place.

Flexion

To bend or make an angle between body parts, or to bring two flexor surfaces together.

Extension

To straighten out or increase the angle between body parts.

Abduction

Movement of the limbs away from the median plane.

Adduction

Movement of the limbs towards the median plane.

Rotation

To turn or revolve a part of the body around its long axis.

Medial rotation

Rotation that brings the anterior surface of the limb closer to the median plane.

Lateral rotation

Rotation that takes the anterior surface of the limb away from the median plane.

Circumduction

Performing flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction in sequence so that the distal end of the part describes a circle.