Directional Terms, Fractures and Body Planes Review

Anatomical Position

Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward, thumbs point away from body. Universal reference point for the human body.

Physiology

The study of the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to one another.

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

Inferior (caudal)

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure of the body; below.

Anterior (ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Posterior (donal)

Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of the body.

Intermediate

Between a more medial and a more lateral structure.

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Superficial (external)

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep (internal)

Away from the body surface, more internal.

Directional terms

Describes the positions of structures relative to other structures, or locations in the body.

Three major anatomical planes

Sagittal, frontal and transverse.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into right and left parts.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into top and bottom.

Frontal plane

Divides the body into front and back.

Midsagittal plane

Divides the body into two equal right and left parts.

Fracture

A break in the bone usually caused by an outside force.

Severity of a fracture depends

On its location.

Possible complications of of serious fractures

Damage to blood vessels or nerves and infection of the bone (osteomyelitis) or surrounding tissue.

Comminuted fracture

Splinters and contains small bone particles, can shatter into more than two pieces. This fracture is usually caused by severe force.

Oblique fracture

Broken at an angle across the bone and is usually the result of a sharp angled blow to the bone.

Transverse fracture

Broken straight across the bone, is the result of a sharp, direct blow or may be a stress fracture caused, for example, by prolonged running.

Greenstick fracture

Usually occurs in children, whose still soft bones splinter without breaking in two. Sudden force causes only the outer side of the bent bone to break.

Spiral fracture

Refers to a fracture caused by a twisting force that creates an oblique fracture around and through the bone.

Union of a fracture

Refers to healing of bone fracture fragments.

Nonunion of a fracture

Refers to the absence of healing in a fracture.

Malunion fracture

Refers to the healing of a fracture with incorrect anatomical alignment.

Delayed union

Refers to a bone fracture that is taking an exceptionally long amount of time to heal.

The shoulders are___ to the midline

Medial

The arms are ____ to the midline.

Lateral.

The skin is _____ to the heart.

Superficial.

The lungs are _____ to the ribcage.

Deep.

The hamstring is _____ to the quadriceps.

Posterior.

The biceps are ____ to the triceps.

Anterior.

The sternum is _____ to the spine.

Posterior.

The shoulder blade is on the ____ side of the body.

Posterior.

The shoulders are _____ to the spine.

Lateral.

The knee is ____ to the ankle.

Proximal.

The hands are ____ to the wrist.

Distal.

The calf muscle is _____ to the ankle.

Proximal.

Compound fracture

Broken bone fragments lacerate soft tissue and protrute through an open wound in the skin. Happens due to sudden movements or actions.